The Gilmer County Optimist Club is continuing a longstanding school supply drive for local students this summer.
This is the eighth year for the Stuff the Bus drive, through which Optimist Club members collect supplies for students in grades K-12 and donate them to the local school system.
“They will go to the Larry Walker Education Center, where the school has access to grab what they need when they need it,” said Micalah Beall, Optimist Club member and chair of this year’s Stuff the Bus drive.
Such items as pencils, scissors, erasers, glue sticks, crayons, highlighters, backpacks and notebooks are typically collected at the supply drive’s drop-off boxes, six of which are now up around the county.
Four of those boxes have been put at Gilmer County Fire and Rescue stations, Beall said.
This is the first time the Optimist Club, which is committed to doing projects for local youth, has partnered with the fire department for the drive.
“Gilmer County Fire and Rescue is proud to partner with the Optimist Club as a drop-off location for Stuff the Bus,” said Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman. “I’m sure this will become an annual event for our department. The children of Gilmer County are near and dear to the hearts of our employees. We collect money throughout the year to fund our Kids Christmas Toy Drive, so this felt like a great way to continue giving back to the community.”
A two-day collection event will cap off the summer supply drive Friday and Saturday, July 23-24. Optimist Club members will have a school bus on hand as they collect money and supply donations at the East Ellijay Walmart from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.
Any money collected during those days will be used to buy more supplies, said Beall.
The two-day Walmart event comprised the entire 2020 Stuff the Bus effort, which collected supplies for students in the difficult, restriction-heavy season.
Donation drop-off boxes will remain in place until Thursday, July 22, Beall noted.
Stuff the Bus drop-off box locations:
Gilmer County Fire Station 1, 325 Howard Simmons Road.
Gilmer County Fire Station 11, 197 Whitepath Road.
Gilmer County Fire Station 12, 121 Fire House Drive.
Gilmer County Fire Station 14, 2300 Tails Creek Road.
Chris Wang State Farm Insurance, 772 Maddox Drive, Suite 106.
Coosawattee River Resort Recreation Center (indoor pool), 126 Mango Lane.