As students will return to the classroom in about two weeks, the back-to-school season is in full swing with a variety of events happening in the area to make sure students are ready to go back.

Among these events is Beaufort County Schools’ annual Stuff the Bus event this Saturday. The school system is partnering with Beaufort County United Way, Golden Corral and Wal-Mart to collect school supplies for kids in need and make sure they are ready to learn.

According to the released flyer, there are a number of items needed: pens, backpacks, three-ring binders, pencils, erasers, rulers, notebook paper, pocket folders, composition books and pocket dictionaries.

“Stuff the Bus helps put all students in our district on a level playing field in the classroom by providing the tools they need to succeed,” said Sarah Hodges, public information officer for Beaufort County Schools.

Also embracing the importance of school supplies, Metropolitan Community Health Services and Metropolitan AME Zion Church saw the need for supplies as a two-fold opportunity, working together with other organizations, including Washington Police Department and Beaufort County Department of Social Services, to reach out to the community to provide supplies and increase health knowledge, said Claudia Stokes, outreach coordinator for Metropolitan Community Health Services.

As part of the National Health Center Week from Aug. 9-15, the drive will offer school supplies, food and clothing for families in need along with opportunities for voter registration and health insurance enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. The Saturday event will also provide free screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and dental health, Stokes said.

Keeping in the spirit of health awareness, Fitness Unlimited in Washington is also getting in on the action with a fundraiser on Aug. 17 for monetary donations and school supplies to be divided equally among teachers who are members at the gym, according to Fitness Unlimited’s Facebook page announcement. The gym is already taking donations for the event, but participants can also come out to the facility next Monday to donate money to see a staff member dunked for the cause, as part of “Dunk for Dollars.”

“Our community is so generous when it comes to meeting the needs of our children. We completely understand that not everyone is able to give, however, the gift of a single pack of pencils or paper during this campaign will definitely make a difference,” Hodges said.

 

Stuff the Bus will be held this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wal-Mart in Washington, and the Health Center Week event will be the same day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Agape Clinic, 120 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.