ROCKINGHAM — United Way of Richmond County is currently seeking sponsors for its annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign.
The annual effort, organized by the UWRC and Richmond County Schools, is now in its 17th year of helping local students have the supplies they need for when school starts back.
Student volunteers, as well as those from local businesses, help pack a variety of items — including paper, pencils, notebooks, folders, crayons and glue sticks — onto a school bus (or sometimes two buses) parked in front of Walmart, then help divvy up the supplies for distribution.
“I believe that the inability to afford school supplies should not be an obstacle to a child’s success,” Michelle Parrish, executive director of UWRC, said in a 2024 press release. “One way that we are working to advance the good of all is to ensure that when school starts this year, every child can return to the classroom with the supplies needed for a successful school year.”
Although the number of sponsors in 2024 was down to 59 from a record 66 the year before, the effort reportedly raised more than $10,000 and UWRC was able to purchase nearly 48,000 items.
Sponsors will have their logos or names displayed on the side of the bus, and names will also be included in social media posts and the back of the event T-shirt.
Parrish said this year’s event, scheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, had 31 sponsors as of June 9.
Financial and supply donations will be accepted on site.
For more information or to coordinate your donation, contact Parrish at 910-997-2173, 910-206-2909, or email michelleparrish@bellsouth.net.
Last month, UWRC recognized its volunteers and donors, and gave out several awards for service to the organization:
You Made a Difference Appreciation Award - Fairview Heights Elementary School
Youth Group Volunteers of the Year Award - Richmond Senior H.S. Beta Club
Volunteer Group of the Year Award - Piedmont Natural Gas
Allocation Committee Rookie(s) of the Year Award - Robin Hutchinson, MacKenzie Webb, Sheila Broiser, Emily Tucker, Lauren Norton and Greg Covington
Allocation Committee Volunteers of the Year Award - Becky Plummer, Lisa Cloninger, Jeanine Hanson and Katie Mabe
Warm Hearts Award - FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond
Outstanding Volunteer - Nikki Wells
Volunteer of the Year Award - Pam Easterling
