The Henry County Public Schools Foundation (HCPSF) will celebrate its inaugural Stuff the Bus campaign on June 21 to collect school supplies and essential resources for educators and their students.
Stuff the Bus Campaign
The Stuff the Bus initiative coincides with the foundation’s ‘Give First’ fundraising campaign to raise awareness about the newly formed nonprofit charitable organization’s overall objectives and garner support to elevate teaching and learning across Henry County Schools.
“We are excited to see our community come out and support this event, which is a first for Henry County Schools,” said Foundation Director Dr. Maria A. Lumpkin. “The goals for this campaign are to empower teachers, alleviate financial costs associated with maintaining classroom supplies, enhance the education experience for our students, and support equitable learning environments. The Stuff the Bus campaign provides an amazing opportunity for our community to make a difference in public education.”
Since its inception in February, HCPSF has secured nearly half-a-million dollars in cash and in-kind donations, signaling the community’s readiness to invest in HCS and help shape the future of public education in Henry County.
Community members are invited to Stuff the Bus with new or unused art, cleaning, and classroom supplies, non-perishable snacks, bottled water, or other items that may help teachers to equip their classrooms for the coming school year.
Volunteers will collect donated school supplies to fill buses at the following Henry County locations on June 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.:
- Hampton First Baptist Church, 85 McDonough St. in Hampton
- Tanger Outlets, 1000 Tanger Dr. in Locust Grove
- Sharon Church 571 N. Ola Rd. in McDonough
- Turning Point Church, 78 Old Jackson Rd. in McDonough
- Eagle’s Landing Country Club, 100 Eagle’s Landing Way in Stockbridge
- Stockbridge Community Church, 4401 Highway 155 North in Stockbridge
“Ensuring every Henry County Schools teacher has the necessary tools to support classroom instruction is fundamental to our Vision to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “The Stuff the Bus campaign benefits teachers and students and enriches the overall academic experience. We take pride in positioning ourselves as a school district for the community, and what better way to celebrate our commitment to engaging and partnering with Henry County residents than this exciting initiative.”
The foundation will distribute donated supplies to new teachers during the district’s annual Orientation for New Educators (O.N.E.) event in July. O.N.E. sessions prepare new employees for a career in HCS and include staff networking opportunities and an introduction to district procedures and resources.
“What a wonderful way for the community to welcome our new teachers,” said Board of Trustees Chair Holly Cobb. “Teachers work tirelessly to create meaningful learning experiences for students, often at personal cost. This campaign is one way to give back to these educators who give so much. The Stuff the Bus campaign is a powerful display of shared ownership in educating our children, and it is truly heartwarming to see that connection between the community and our classrooms.”
The foundation also welcomes financial contributions and in-kind donations, including gift cards. Individuals or organizations may sign up to volunteer at Stuff the Bus sites and assist with other duties, including collecting and organizing donated supplies.
Business Sponsorship Opportunities Available
HCPSF offers the following levels of corporate sponsorships for the Stuff the Bus campaign, each including tailored benefits and opportunities to enhance funding to benefit students and educators across HCS:
- $25,000 Champion for Children Title Sponsor: Opportunities include prominent logo placement on the bus and all campaign materials, recognition in press releases and social media, speaking engagements at campaign events, and a special feature on the foundation’s website and in its annual report
- $10,000 Champion for Teachers Sponsor: Opportunities include logo placement on the bus and all campaign materials, recognition in press releases and social media, and mention on the foundation’s website
- $5,000 Ambassador for Henry Schools Sponsor: Opportunities include logo placement on campaign materials, recognition on social media, and mention on the foundation’s website
- $1,000 Friend of Henry Schools Sponsor: Opportunities include recognition on social media and mention on the foundation’s website
“I am thrilled to see the work of the Henry County Public Schools Foundation come to fruition,” said Henry County Board of Education Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “The idea for the foundation emerged from our Community-Inspired Strategic Plan, which reflects our community’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations for public education in Henry County. We take pride in our relationship with the community, and this campaign perfectly embodies our governance philosophy, which revolves around a powerful connection from the community to the boardroom to the classroom.”
Contact the Foundation for more information or to become a sponsor of the Stuff the Bus campaign.
Article reprinted from a Henry County Schools press release. Featured image shows HCS school buses. Henry County Schools photo.