The annual Centralia “Stuff the Bus” Back-to-School Supply Drive, held at the Chehalis Walmart, will accept donations of school supplies, clothing and money from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10.
The supplies and clothing donations will provide Centralia School District students with the necessary items to fill in the gaps in their supplies lists that might be too expensive or inaccessible for some families.
Once the supplies are donated, they are distributed throughout the school district and given to counselors. When a student arrives at school on the first day, if they do not have the necessary supplies, their teacher can send them to the counselors where they can receive anything they need from the variety of donations.
Throughout the school year, as supply levels begin to drop, teachers can inform the volunteers who are in charge of Stuff the Bus.
With the donations generated by the fundraiser, the volunteers can continue to provide teachers and students with necessary supplies so they can continue to have a successful school year.
Over the eight years the event has been running, all donations have stayed local and contributed to the success of Centralia School District students.
The event is provided by Peter Abbarno, of Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP, and Holly Abbarno, a local educator.
Sponsors include Althauser Rayan Abbarno, The Truss Co., Security State Bank, KELA, KMNT, the Centralia School District, Aldersons Awards West Printwares, the City of Centralia, Great Northwest Federal Credit Union, Dick’s Brewing Company, the United Way of Lewis County and The Chronicle.
Along with accepting donations at Walmart in Chehalis, monetary donations can also be sent to the United Way of Lewis County, Centralia Supply Drive, 450 NW Pacific Ave., Chehalis.
For more information or to donate, volunteer or become a sponsor, contact Holly Abbarno at hollyabbarno@yahoo.com.
