Former teacher Ida Terry knows how important a quality education is for a child. She also knows how important school supplies are in achieving that education.

To that end, she’ll be joining Limestone County Churches Involved for the annual Stuff A Bus school supply drive, designed to ensure low-income families and students within Limestone County’s borders get the supplies they need for school this year.

“People that are in the low-income bracket have a hard time surviving as it is,” Terry said, “and these supplies are very expensive. We think it’s important for these children to get a good start to the school year.”

The “we” she refers to are her fellow LCCI members and volunteers, who will be at Walmart on U.S. 72 in Athens from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28, to gather donated school supplies. The bus they’ll be “stuffing” has been donated by Athens City Schools for the event.

“Volunteers will be outside at Walmart those two days, and we will have volunteers on site at the Revival Center stuffing bags,” Terry said.

LCCI asks that donors shop for the following items: highlighters, glue sticks, loose-leaf paper, wooden No. 2 pencils, blue or black ink pens, 24-count packs of colored pencils, 10-count packs of washable markers, pencil pouches, 1-inch or 1.5-inch three-ring binders, composition books, large erasers and of course, book bags.

“We will have a list out front (of Walmart),” Terry said. “You don’t have to buy all of them; just buy what you can afford. That will help us tremendously.”

They hope to fill at least 200 book bags this year. Once filled, the volunteers at the Revival Center will pass them to students in low-income families who will attend school in the Athens or Limestone County school districts.

“When the students come in, we’ll hand them the book bag. The little (students) will have different supplies than the older ones, but each student will get a book bag,” Terry said. “We’re hoping this will kick off and be even better than it was last year.”

Distribution will be from 1–5 p.m. Monday, July 30, and Tuesday, July 31.

United Way

LCCI isn’t the only organization on the bus-stuffing bandwagon. The United Way of Athens-Limestone County will be hosting its own “Stuff the Bus” event Aug. 20 through Sept. 30 for new and gently used books.

“The books that you donate will be given to students as reading incentives, placed in school libraries and used in teacher workrooms,” a press release said. “By providing young people with additional books, we are helping them be more successful in their school careers, and ultimately, we are helping our community to be more successful.”

This is the United Way’s fifth consecutive year hosting the event. To date, more than 24,000 books have been distributed to students in the Athens and Limestone County school districts as a result of the drive.

“With your help, we can once again make a difference in our community’s students’ lives,” the press release said. “Every book given is an opportunity to learn something new.”

Books can be dropped off at the United Way office at 419 S. Marion St., Athens, or any of the United Way drop-off locations.

Win a TV

Vendors of the Limestone Flea Market have donated a 32-inch flat-screen TV to be awarded to one lucky participant in the Limestone Flea Market school supply drive for Limestone County Schools.

Participants earn one entry into the TV drawing for every five school supplies or $5 donated to the drive. There is no limit on the number of entries a person can accrue, but donations are only accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until Aug. 19.

Donations can be delivered to Limestone Flea Market, 30030 U.S. 72 West, Madison.

“Help us help the awesome teachers of Limestone County,” a press release about the event said.

Forgive a fine

Athens-Limestone Public Library rounds out the school supply drive round-up with the option to forgive outstanding library fines through their “School Supplies for Fines” program, running July 18 through Aug. 31.

“For every dollar owed in overdue fines at the Athens-Limestone Public Library, at least one new packaged item from the list must be donated,” read a press release about the event. “For example, if a patron has a $5 fine, at least five new packaged items are needed to erase the fine.”

The list is as follows: composition notebooks, Crayola colored pencils, 8- or 24-count Crayola crayons, multicolored construction paper packs, Crayola markers, Crayola watercolor sets, packaged pencil-top erasers, packaged large pink erasers, multipackaged glue sticks, packaged loose-leaf paper, packaged No. 2 pencils, packaged pens, packaged school scissors, white school glue, spiral notebooks, plastic pencil boxes, clear plastic shoe boxes with lids and bubbles.

“The Athens-Limestone Public Library is inviting everyone to start school with a clean slate in July and August,” the release said.

However, there are some rules. A maximum of $5 will be applied to existing fines only, not for damaged library materials or items that have not yet been returned. No credits for future fines will be awarded.

To donate, visit the library at 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Anyone with questions about the program can contact library staff at 256-232-1233.