CCISD at-risk students get boost of school supplies

By WENDY SLEDD

Fifty-five percent of Copperas Cove ISD students qualify for the free and reduced meal program. Many of these students’ families may find it challenging to afford school supplies. Two community entities have partnered to ensure no child lacks school supplies when class is back in session on August 25th. The Copperas Cove Wal-Mart and Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans are hosting a Stuff the Bus event starting today and running through Sunday, taking advantage of the boost of sales expected during tax-free weekend when no tax is charged on school- related items. Wal-Mart Co-Manager Jeff Weeks lives in Copperas Cove where his children also attend school. “There are people in this community who do not have all that they need,” he said. “Wal-Mart is known for helping out communities.  We want to be a good neighbor, especially in Copperas Cove. We are strong with our educational giving programs including the Teacher Rewards Program and grantsawarded for educational purposes.” CCISD will provide its blue activity bus that donors can load up with school supplies which will be distributed to at-risk students through the Communities in Schools Program.  Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans Founder Jonathan Haywood said his  organization got involved because members want to ensure that CCISD students’  needs are met. “The children in our community deserve to go to school happy. Sometimes,  kids can be cruel to those that do not have things,” Haywood said. “Providing the supplies  enables these children to learn. There are a lot of folks  out there that just do not have the means to provide what is needed. Their pride won’t let  them ask for help. But, if the help is already there, they can put their pride aside and just love their kids and send them  to school.” Wal-Mart will be donating the first $1,000 in school  supplies on to the bus to kickoff the drive and will also  present the each teacher at Hettie Halstead Elementary with a gift card to purchase supplies for their classrooms. “It’s a school that has a large population of economically disadvantaged students,” Weeks said. “In talking with customers in the community, they overwhelmingly asked  that we help Hettie Halstead Elementary this year.” Star Group-VHV members  will be serving hot dogs and drinks to all who make a donation to the supply drive.  Weeks said Wal-Mart enjoys partnering with VHV and CCISD because they are both professional entities what  have a broad knowledge of who really needs help in the community.  “Working within our community draws those same  people back into our store,” Weeks said. “What better way to build confidence in Wal- Mart than by being a good neighbor? It’s just part of our culture—giving back to the  community.”