Fill the Bus on July 22 and 23 With School Supplies!

The Sequoyah County Boy and Girls Club and United Way of Fort Smith are asking shoppers to “Fill the Bus.” The annual “Fill the Bus” campaign will be held July 22 and 23 at Walmart stores throughout the area including in Sallisaw. The items donated in Sallisaw will go to Sequoyah County students.

Terri Long, with the Sequoyah County Boys and Girls Club, said the most needed item is backpacks. Also always in short supply are magic markers. But donations of all school supplies will be “greatly appreciated,” Long said. She said the local club is hoping to get 100 new backpacks for students.

Those who would like to donate should look for the school bus. Long said volunteers will be passing out lists of needed supplies and will be at the bus to accept the donations. Volunteers for the two days are also needed, and anyone who would like to volunteer may contact Long for information. Her cell number is 918-776-5211.

The Mix 105.1 will also have a live remote from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. July 22 at the Sallisaw Walmart “Fill the Bus” and invites everyone to stop by and say “Hi.”

Sequoyah County Boys and Girls Club is affiliated with the United Way of Fort Smith which oversees the project. The organization reported that, in 2015, more than 57,000 packages of new school supplies were collected. The donated items were given to school districts and United Way partner agencies. Not only do the donated supplies help children with their studies, having a new backpack or notebook can really help raise a child’s self-esteem. Feeling good about themselves and having the tools they need to complete their schoolwork helps children get off on the right foot as they start a new school year.

For more information, contact Carrie Terry at 479-782-1311 or cterry@unitedwayfortsmith.org.

The United Way of Fort Smith Area has been serving individuals and families in Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties in Arkansas and LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma since 1928. For more information you can find them on the web at unitedwayfortsmith.org or follow them on  Facebook at United Way of Fort Smith or on Instagram and Twitter.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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