Volunteers Brave Heat To Stuff The Bus

Organizers are expecting bigger and better results from this year's "Stuff the Bus" event.

The United Way supply drive for the county's teachers was held over three days this weekend in seven locations. The public was asked to donate cash or gift cards and cram bags full of pencils, protractors, paper and pens onto a school bus.

Monday morning, United Way Executive Director Kathy Jones gushed with excitement over the "excellent" results.

"It will be a big holiday for the teachers," she said.

John DiRienzo can agree to that.

As a former educator and past principal of Spring Hill Elementary, DiRienzo knows the need for each of the items on a teacher's wish list he was handing out Sunday.

It's one of the reasons he and other volunteers braved the midday heat for a few hours outside the Publix at County Line Road and Mariner Boulevard. His wife, Marietta, a former middle school English teacher, and volunteer Mark Barry helped.

Teachers frequently burn through their supply budget early in the year, so they often dig into their own pockets by the end of the year, DiRienzo said.

The donations haven't been as generous as last year, but Marietta DiRienzo puts it down to the tough economy. In a way, though, that only makes the supply drive more necessary, she said.

"We're encouraged by the people that do donate," she said.

Jones said they received more cash and gift certificates than last year, so volunteers will have the opportunity to buy some of the "big" items on the list. For example, two teachers needed bookshelves and others a small television.

The goods will be distributed to 250 teachers this year, versus the 180 during the first event held last year.