School Supplies Drive Helps Children Gain Confidence as they Start their Year Primed For Success
United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus, in partnership with Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., is in its 13th year of helping young students succeed. Thanks to sponsors including AT&T, The Banyan Tree Roots Foundation and United Capital Source, as well as companies, labor unions and individuals who donated funds and/or school supplies, thousands of needed items were distributed to elementary students across Long Island.
Leading up to September 11, the National Day of Service, United Way loaded school buses with donated supplies including backpacks, pencils, markers, notebooks, glue, rulers, crayons and more. Items were delivered to the following school districts: Amityville, Bay Shore, Brentwood, Central Islip, Freeport, South Country Central and Wyandanch. Additionally, United Way’s Stuff-A-Bus supplies were distributed to the following community partners: ABBA Leadership Center, Ascent School, Faith Mission Inc., Parent-Child Plus, The New York Family Unity Project, TWU Local 252, United Veterans Beacon House, Wyandanch Homes and Property Development Corp., Wyandanch Plaza Association and YouthBuild Long Island.
“With many students returning to in-person learning, it is increasingly important to provide children across our region with the tools they need to succeed in school and boost their confidence. This is especially critical in communities where families have been hit hard financially due to the pandemic, and may not be able to afford the basic school supplies needed for their children to complete their studies,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island.
“Suffolk Transportation Service’s goal is to make the transition back to the classroom as seamless as possible for thousands of children.” He added, “This year happens to be particularly important to help children across Long Island get excited to learn, and by the expressions on the students faces when they received the school supplies, I would say…mission accomplished!” said John Corrado, President of Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.
Throughout the month of August and September, over 30 companies and community groups participated in the 2021 Stuff-A-Bus campaign. This included: Alba Wheels Up International Inc., Allstate Insurance, ClearVision Optical, Cerini & Associates, LLP, Coach, Daughters of the American Revolution – Ketewamoke Chapter, DriMark Products Inc., Family of Kidz, GEICO, Hofstra University, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Keller Williams Realty, Leviton, Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW, Long Island Contractors Association, Meadowbrook Pointe Athletic Club & Spa, MSC Industrial Supply Co., National Grid, Oliver Inc., Polo/Ralph Lauren, Posillico, Randstad, RXR Realty, Signature Premier Properties, St. Francis Hospital (Med-Surgi Unit), Sugar Crazy, Target, Telephonics, The Boxery and TDK USA Corporation.
Since its inception in 2008, Stuff-A-Bus has delivered over 990,000 school supplies to 45,000 children. To learn more about Stuff-A-Bus, visit www.unitedwayli.org/stuffabus.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on three key building blocks; health, education and financial stability. It is our priority to create equity across Long Island by investing in partnerships, helping the most vulnerable and at risk through organizations and programs that demonstrate raising the bar for fairness and equal access to services. Our organization provides a united solution and impact, fighting for families across Long Island. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information visit www.unitedwayli.org.