It’s time to donate school supplies in York, Lancaster counties

Children will go back to class in a little more than a month, and many families soon will be busy shopping for pencils, paper, book bags and other back-to-school supplies.

Although it’s an exciting time for lots of families, for others, there is no room for school supplies in the budget, and buying them poses a financial burden.

That’s why The Herald and its sister community newspapers – the Fort Mill Times, the Enquirer-Herald in York and Clover, and the Lake Wylie Pilot – are once again partnering with school districts in York and Lancaster counties to gather supplies for children from less fortunate families.

“The first day of school should be fun for every child,” said Debbie Abels, president and publisher of The Herald and its community publications. “It’s a time to rejoin friends, meet the new teacher and look forward to what will be learned in the coming year.

“For a child whose family cannot afford school supplies, the excitement is tarnished by the anxiety of not fitting in or having the tools to be successful. It’s easy to help.”

The school supply drive, now in its eighth year, begins this week and will continue through Aug. 8.

In Rock Hill, 1,000 students benefited last year from items donated during the supply drive, said Serena Williams, coordinator of community services in the Rock Hill school district.

“Having a pencil and a notebook and even a book bag can really boost a child’s self esteem and their ability to more easily learn,” Williams said.

Williams said Rock Hill schools also will accept school supplies during a Stuff the Bus event from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Walmart Supercenter in Newport. Members of the Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. sorority will volunteer to collect the donations.

Clover schools provided supplies to about 600 children through the drive, which collects supplies and/or cash donations that are used to buy them.

Clover schools Assistant Superintendent Mark Hopkins said the school supply drive is a blessing for families in need. “It makes a huge difference,” he said.

Lynn Ringley, director of the Foundation for Fort Mill Schools, which is collecting supplies for Fort Mill students, said having supplies on the first day makes students feel prepared.

“I remember the sweetest smile last year from an elementary student who beamed when she received her backpack filled with supplies,” Ringley said. “As she left the building, she smiled and watched her reflection in the window all the way down the sidewalk. That says it all.”

Clover’s Hopkins and other school leaders said cash donations are also important because they can be used to fill in the gaps of what’s donated. Cash “has the potential to be a little more focused” on specific needs, Hopkins said.

Last year, donors contributed $4,000 for Rock Hill school supplies, Williams said. The money was used to purchase 525 backpacks.

Each school district makes its own arrangements for how to distribute the supplies.

Clover schools will distribute school supplies during a back-to-school kickoff event from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Memorial Stadium. The free event will be in conjunction with the first Blue Eagle football scrimmage game. Concessions will be half price, and each school will have a tent to provide information and give out supplies.

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 11:17 AM with the headline "It’s time to donate school supplies in York, Lancaster counties."