This is what COMMUNITY IMPACT looks like — individuals, organizations, companies, donors and volunteers — all working together to unite people, improve lives and strengthen community.
This year’s School Supply Drive was a resounding success. Because you said yes, 2,800 (updated since Doc's message) students started their first day of school equipped with the supplies they need to compete and win in the classroom. This is no small feat and each and every one of you should be proud of what we’ve accomplished this year. Your willingness to step up and be active participants in shaping the future of our community never ceases to amaze us! Thank you!
For three weeks you made financial donations and bought backpacks and school supplies while out shopping and online. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. you also held your own school supply drives, designated your businesses as collection points and got your neighbors and coworkers involved; all to help ensure that every student starts school on a level playing field. Check out the WLOS coverage.
Putting something like this together takes a lot of work and we would like to give a special shout-out to everyone who volunteered their time — you are truly the life-blood that connects all the moving parts and holds the Drive together. Check out some of this year's volunteers in action.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- A new record was set — 2,800 students supported with fully stocked backpacks
- Total dollar value of backpacks: $75,000
- Number of local organizations/companies supporting this year’s Drive: 35
- Number of distribution partners supported in this year’s Drive: 40
- Number of volunteer hours: 365 totaling $8,700 in time
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE MVPs
And while numbers give us an overview of our success, they don’t tell the full story. It’s important to remember the people and organizations behind them:
- Himanshu and Swati Kavir: Thank you for all you continue to do on behalf of local students. The School Supply Drive would not be possible without you.
- Kelly Larouche, Derek Allen and Bill Durr: Thank you for bringing the Back to the Future characters to life and making the Drive so much fun — you guys rock!
- David Dowd: Thank you, David for being the driving force behind Bank Of America's sponsorship.
- Royce Holden: Thank you, Royce for allowing us to babysit your Delorean — it was a huge hit at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
- David Donald: Thanks for spinning the great tunes at our Pack-N-Sort event — you were the "special sauce" that kept everyone humming.
- Andre Daugherty/Pro16 Productions: Thank you for putting together the great photos and videos for us!
OUR PARTNERS
- United Way’s Affinity Groups and Giving Societies: Year in and year out, you've made it clear that you've got this community's back — thank you for your continued support!
- Eaton Corporation: Eaton more than tripled their number of fully-stocked backpacks this year. Way to go!
- Mission Health: Mission continues to set the standard for engaging their employees in support of our community. Even in the midst of so much change, you helped send a record number of students back to school fully prepared. Congratulations!
- Keller Williams: It was great fun experiencing your incredible enthusiasm during your in-house drive. Thank you!
- UPS: Critical support in preparation for the Pank and Sort event - truck and 10 enthusiastic volunteers who unloaded over 21,000 pounds of school supplies.
OUR SPONSORS
Special thanks go out to this year's sponsors, without whose support none of this would be possible:
- Bank of America
- WNC Bridge Foundation
- Mix 96.5
HONORABLE MENTIONS
We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for supporting this year’s School Supply Drive. Whether you made in-kind donations, hosted an event or helped get the word out, you made a difference in the life of a child. Thank you for your willingness to work with us to get these supplies into the hands of local students.
- Distribution Partners who work with the youth of Asheville and Buncombe County everyday
- Holiday Inn-Biltmore West
- Asheville Pizza and Brewing
- Walmart
- Mellow Mushroom
- Harry's on the Hill
- Davis Wrecker
ON DECK
So how do we continue the momentum? By staying engaged! United Way's third annual lip-sync contest marks the kickoff of this year's Campaign season and is an opportunity for both businesses and individuals to pledge their time and financial resources to improve the education, health and financial stability of our community. This year's theme is Motown, and trust us, you're not going to want to miss this! RSVP today!
