Stuff the Bus: It's a Group Thing, Too

Principal Cristie Mitchum surveyed the collection of supplies wheeled into the lobby at Devon Forest Elementary. There were boxes of copy paper and whiteboard markers for teachers, as well as notebooks, glue sticks and pencils for students.

Mitchum’s eyes settled on two book bags filled with everything a first and second grader would need to start the school year. “Those are awesome!” she exclaimed. “Some little child is going to be so excited.”

This week, the Berkeley County School District is hosting a donation drive. In cooperation with Walmart, the district is looking for supplies students and teachers will need for the school year.

Donations can come from shoppers who throw an extra pack of pencils into the donation bin at the front of the store. But groups are also getting involved, bringing their members together in hopes of making a bigger impact.

The donation at Devon Forest Elementary on Tuesday morning was courtesy of Goose Creek 9-12, a mostly conservative, politically involved group that attends local government meetings and holds its own monthly meetings with a variety of guest speakers. “We want to support our community and our teachers,” said 9-12 Chairman Bill Bates.

Vice Chairman Jeff Reuer noted the donations are also important for the group, with a flier on Goose Creek 9-12 attached to each item. “We need to get out in the community and let people know who we are and what we’re about,” he said.

School board member Shannon Lee, who first suggested that Berkeley launch a supply drive, said the response has been phenomenal. “Our community was just waiting for this opportunity and the community has really rallied behind it,” she said.