Buckhannon Toyota partnered with a national non-profit to provide free backpacks and school supplies to students at Buckhannon Academy this year.
Representatives from Buckhannon Toyota and the Kids in Need Foundation collaborated to give students from Buckhannon Academy a free backpack, three folders, two notebooks, a package of pencils, a package of markers, a pair of scissors, two glue sticks, a package of Post-its, two pens, a package of crayons, a pencil pouch, an eraser and a pencil sharpener during the school’s open house Aug. 13.
Jason Minsker, president of Buckhannon Toyota, said he was inspired by other Toyota dealerships that participated in the Big Summer Giveback program. Through this initiative, participating Toyota dealerships donate $3 to the Kids in Need Foundation for every oil change with a tire rotation from August 1 to 31. These donations provided the school supplies and backpacks that were given away at Buckhannon Academy.
“We’ve never done this before,” Minsker said. “I talked to one of my friends from another Toyota dealer, and he told me it was a really good program and to give it a shot. They made it very easy for us and have done a great job. We’re hoping it’s a big hit, because we always like to try to sponsor youth programs, and this is another great way to do that.”
Adam White, principal at Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, credited their Communities in Schools facilitator for recommending the program.
“We’re always looking for any kind of help we can get to build community support and get our kids exactly what they need to be successful,” White said. “Krista Sappey reached out last year asking if we’d be interested in this, and Buchannan Toyota, as well as Toyota in general, has been great to work with. It’s been pretty hands-off by me, so that’s a testament to Krista, the folks at Toyota and the foundation for bringing the kids these backpacks and everything they need to get started.”
White said providing students with the necessary materials will set them up to be successful in the upcoming school year.
“I think the backpacks are a really convenient carrying vessel — but what’s in it, and getting it to school, where we can guide students for success, is really more important,” White said. “I think the backpacks are representative of how important education is to everybody in this community and in this school.”
Paul Wilson, Vice President of Development for the Kids in Need Foundation, said their mission is to support underserved schools, especially with core school supplies.
“Our core program is backpacks because most kids need backpacks from the start, but beyond that, we also do a program called Supply a Teacher, which provides two box supply sets for teachers, so they get a semester’s worth of supplies,” Wilson said. “We have 40 resource centers across the United States where teachers can literally go in and shop at no cost for core supplies. It operates in a similar way to a food shelf, where you go in, shop and get what you need. Some even go beyond the core supplies; things like art pencils and items to decorate your classroom are sometimes available.”
The giveaway provided a little over 400 backpacks and supplies to local students.
“We’re ready for the kids to get back in school,” White said. “I always say that school gets a lot easier once the kids get here. There is always a bunch of worry and a bunch of stress at the beginning, and once the kids get here, it gets a lot easier, because that’s who we’re really here for, the kids. Seeing all these kids get back here, it really makes everybody breathe a little easier and be a little happier.”
