In 11th year, school supplies drive helps children start their year primed for success
United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus program, in partnership with Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., is in its 11th year of helping young students succeed by providing critical school supplies to 8,000 students across Long Island.
On September 11, National Day of Service, volunteers loaded school buses with boxes filled with donated supplies including pencils, markers, notebooks, rulers and backpacks. These items were delivered to 14 schools across 10 districts: Amityville, Brentwood, Central Islip, Copiague, Freeport, Hempstead, Huntington, North Hempstead, South Country and Wyandanch.
“This is an incredibly important program that directly impacts young students’ success in the classroom. It provides a confidence boost and motivation to learn for children whose families may not be able to afford new notebooks, or other needed school supplies,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island.
“Each year, Stuff-A-Bus continues to grow in its reach. When the program was founded we knew the need was there, but never could I have imagined the true impact on the children. I am fortunate to watch children’s eyes light up when they realize that the delivered school supplies are just for them. It is a privilege to give back to the Long Island community,” said John Corrado, President of Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.
“The students at our Freeport schools are grateful to be recipients of United Way’s Stuff-A-Bus program,” said Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Public Schools. He added, “This program helps foster equity in the school environment. Our teachers and staff are also grateful knowing that their students can start off the school year ready to learn with the same tools as their peers.”
“The Stuff-A-Bus program is fully embraced by our school community, including our families. Many children are surprised and thankful to learn that the school supplies delivered today are for them. Our students are proud to walk the hallways with new pens, crayons, notebooks and binders. Watching their smiles is priceless,” said Eric Snell Principal of Laurel Park Elementary School in Brentwood.
Throughout the month of August, 50 companies operated volunteer Stuff-A-Bus collection campaigns at their worksites. For the third consecutive year, the Long Island Nets played an integral role in support of the program by collecting and delivering school supplies.
Since its inception in 2008, Stuff-A-Bus has delivered over 935,000 school supplies to 40,000 children. To learn more about Stuff-A-Bus, visit www.unitedwayli.org/stuffabus.
Participating Volunteers include:
Adecco; Alba Wheels Up International Inc.; Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.; Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP; Capital One; ClearVision Optical; CNA Insurance; Disc Graphics, Inc.; East End Bus Lines; Educational Bus Transportation Inc. Empire Racing LLC; Empire National Bank; Garfunkel Wild, PC.; GEICO; Girl Scouts National Council; Huntington Coach, LLC; Long Island Nets; Mackoul Risk Solutions; MAG Millennium Alliance Group, LLC; mindSHIFT, a RICOH Co.; MSC Industrial; Supply Co.; National Grid; Nassau Community College; Nationwide, Law Offices of Charles Harm; Nature's Bounty; New Vitality; NY American Water; Oerlikon Metco (US) Inc.; Paychex; People's United Bank; Pier 1; Posillico; PSEG Long Island; Raymour & Flanigan; RWDSU Local 338; Sales Master Flooring Solutions; Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.; Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.; SERVPRO; Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.; Tanger Outlets; Telephonics; The Anand Family; THE BOXERY; The Corbetis Family; The Sabattini Family; The Terry Family; Travelers; Verizon Wireless; Village Office Supply.
Sponsors include:
Principal Honor Roll Sponsor: Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc, and Honor Roll Sponsors: Huntington Coach, LLC; East End Bus Lines; Long Island Nets; Baumann Bus Company; Educational Bus Transportation, Inc.; The Boxery; Village Office Supply; Raymour & Flanigan; National Grid, NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47.
Photo Caption 1: Students from Laurel Park Elementary with new school supplies from United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus program, along with PSEG Long Island volunteers (orange shirts) and (pictured in back row left to right) John Corrado, President of Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., Theresa Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island, Principal Eric Snell and third grade teacher Marcy Budnik.
Photo Caption 2: Students from New Visions School in Freeport, with new school supplies from United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus program, along with Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham (far right) and volunteers from Capital One.
Photo Caption Header Image: Volunteers from Suffolk Transportation Services, Inc., Capital One, PSEG Long Island, National Grid, Adecco, Pier 1 Imports and Raymour & Flanigan participate United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus 11th in which 185,000 school supplies were delivered to 14 schools across Long Island.