The bus was officially stuffed at the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way’s annual “Stuff the Bus” event, during which local community members donated more than $16,225 in school supplies to classrooms in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Several local businesses, such as UPS and Toyota of Santa Maria, pitched in by holding special collection drives with their employees. Also, shoppers entering Wal-Mart were asked to buy and donate new supplies, according to a press release from the school district.
Hundreds of shoppers donated all sorts of items—binders, paper, pencils, markers, crayons, and much more—to help Santa Maria students and teachers.
Student Transportation of America donated the bus and driver for the event. Other businesses that collected supplies or served as drop-off locations included: Bee Safe Lock and Key, Chez Jeania Antiques and Collectibles, Abbey Carpet, the Santa Barbara County Social Services and Child Welfare Services departments, and many more.
The supplies were soon distributed among all 19 Santa Maria-Bonita School District schools to be used by students and classrooms in need.
For more information about “Stuff the Bus” and other United Way programs, visit uwcentralcoast.org. m
School Scene is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail
This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2009.
