The Gilmer County Optimist Club hopes to literally stuff a bus full of supplies during its 11th annual back-to-school drive.
The 2023 Stuff the Bus school supply drive will take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, July 21, and Saturday, 22, in front of the East Ellijay Walmart.
Gilmer County Schools will provide some basic school supplies to students this year, but it will be up to the students to bring most of the supplies they’ll need. Because of this, the need for Stuff the Bus to bring in additional supplies is even greater this year, confirmed Gilmer Optimist Carolyn Slavenas, the drive’s chair.
The school system will provide students with pencils, erasers and colored pencils or highlighters, according to a recently issued supply list.
“They have the lists at Walmart,” Slavenas said. “Like last year, Walmart will also be putting together premade bags that you can pick up and take through the checkout line.”
The range of needed school supplies includes backpacks, notebooks, folders, paper, binders and pencils, as well as teacher supplies like dry erase markers, paper, tissues, paper towels and sandwich/quart/gallon plastic bags, according to the Optimist Club. The drive is for grades K-12, and the Gilmer County Boys and Girls Club will also have access to donated items during the school year.
With last year’s Stuff the Bus drive, the local community helped raise over $8,500 worth of school supplies. The Optimists want to exceed that amount this year, confirmed Slavenas.
“We’re really excited to provide supplies for the school system and anyone who needs them,” she added.
At the two-day collection drive, club members will also accept monetary donations, which will be used to purchase more student and teacher supplies at the local Walmart. All donations stay here in Gilmer County.
Any questions about Stuff the Bus can be emailed to gilmeroptimistclub@gmail.com. School supply lists can also be viewed online at teacherlists.com.
The Gilmer Optimist Club, which numbers 106 members, will also celebrate its 11th anniversary this year. The club meets at noon the first and third Fridays of each month at the George Link Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse.