Stuff the Bus raises $20,000 in school supplies

By WENDY SLEDD

All the seats were filled, then the racks over the seats were filled and then the items began filling up the aisle of the Copperas Cove ISD activity bus parked in front of Wal- Mart over the long weekend. In total, more than $20,000 in supplies was collected CCISD’s students inneed.  CCISD partnered with Wal- Mart of Copperas Cove and Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans  for the event. Wal-Mart Co-Manager Jeff Weeks said the support from  the community was overwhelming. “As a result of everyone’s dedication,  we are hopeful that every  child in CCISD will have a great school year,” Weeks said. Collecting the supplies over the  three days filled the bus which then  had to be unloaded on Monday and sorted for the different schools based  on student needs. Supplies filled the cafeteria at Crossroads High School  where the sorting and distribution took place. CCISD Curriculum Department Staff and members of  the Copperas Cove High School  Texas Future Educators Association helped wade through the mounds of supplies. Ashley Prax is the president of CCHS TAFE. “When we started unloading the bus, I didn’t realize how many  supplies had been donated,” Prax said. “As we started sorting the supplies,  it was a blessing to see the Copperas Cove community supporting  these students that need help. It felt great to help sort the  supplies knowing it was going to students in need.”  Jonathan Haywood, president  of Star Group – VHV, said he was grateful to the students of CCISD  and citizens of Copperas Cove & the surrounding communities for coming out and participating while  supporting their fellow students. “They donated, cheered, collected  school supplies and literally stuffed the bus full of supplies. Our  organization continued its support of CCISD as donating supplies,  cooking and handing out hotdogs, chips, drinks and played music throughout the tax-free weekend as families shopped and stuffed the bus,” Haywood said. “A special thanks goes out to the Copperas Cove Rabbit Fest court and parents for continuing to support our children and the community as they greeted, smiled and collected supplies. There were so many people who played an important role in the success of this event. They will be blessed for your contributions and participation in the wonderful event and so will our children in school.” The supplies have been distributed to the schools and will be given to students through the Communities in Schools representative on each campus and the parent liaison on the campus of Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy. Any parent needing assistance with school supplies should contact his/her CIS rep or parent liaison on campus.