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Hernando Today

'Stuff The Bus' Campaign Underway For Local Teachers

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By LINNEA BROWN

Hernando Today

Published: July 11, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - There often are items in local classrooms that parents and students may take for granted.

Like globes, maps, encyclopedia sets and printer ink cartridges - all of which teachers frequently pay for themselves and do not get reimbursed for.

But in a year when money is particularly tight due to budget cuts, the United Way of Hernando County is spearheading an effort to make sure teachers won't have to pay more than they have to for teaching supplies.

After a successful first year, the United Way of Hernando County is seeking donations for its "Stuff The Bus" school supply drive for Hernando County's teachers.

"This is really for the teachers," executive director Kathy Jones said. "It's not for the kids at this point, though teachers do ask for supplies for their students. And who knows the needs of the students better than their teachers?"

The effort aims to bring supplies to teachers in all local classrooms, whether public, private or homeschooled. Teachers simply submit a wish list of top 10 items they would like to have in their classroom, and the United Way asks for these items during the drive.

"(Most teachers) e-mailed me their requests before school ended, but we can still accept more," said Dawn Badami, finance and program coordinator, who helped plan the event.

So far, volunteers at the local United Way have collected more than 200 requests from teachers for supplies. Requests include crayons, scissors, specific sets of books, learning compact discs and art supplies.

The local effort began with a similar idea borrowed from a United Way branch in Colorado.

So far, Hernando's United Way is the only area branch conducting a school supply drive, though last year's event was a huge success. Local volunteers filled 125 requests, Badami said.

She pointed to figures from the National Retail Federation, which estimates that the average teacher spends more than $500 of his or her own money on supplies for the classroom and is not reimbursed for these expenses. The supplies are necessary and used year-round, she said.

"The teachers can't afford a lot of these things," Badami said.

Those wishing to donate items can drop off supplies at one of the seven school busses - on loan from the school district's transportation department - that will be parked outside area businesses from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 1-3.

Volunteer bus monitors will be passing out fliers with lists of items and collecting donations at the busses, which will be parked outside Hernando County's Wal-Mart Supercenters, Publix supermarkets and Staples office supply stores.

Local businesses may also volunteer to place a collection box in their lobby to collect supplies during coming weeks, then drop the box off at a school bus on one of the collection days. Also, gift cards and cash donations will be accepted for those who don't have time to shop for specific items, Badami said.

All donations stay in Hernando County and will be labeled and distributed to local teachers prior to the start of school.

For more information, call 352-688-2026 or go to www.unitedwayhernando.com.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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