VIDOR —
Vidor citizens came through in a huge way on Saturday to help children and youth meet their back-to-school needs. In a tough economy, parents are sometimes forced to make choices of whether to put food on the table, pay a utility bill, or buy school supplies. The supplies will inevitably fall far down the list as basic needs must be met first. In a recent broadcast aired on NBC National News, a reporter stated that families can expect to spend about $650 to start a child back to school this Fall, up from the $600 of last year. Many families simply cannot do it.
But thanks to local citizens with big hearts, kids will have what they need to start the school year. A big yellow bus with pencils, paper, glue, scissors, notebooks and other supplies grew closer to 'full' status as the hours passed on Saturday, August 4. Patrons followed the advice of student volunteers standing outside Vidor WalMart asking them to pick up something for the bus, often arriving with boxes and bins full of supplies. Those who chose not to purchase or who just drove up and saw the drive going on rolled down their windows and handed over checks or bills. Including the seventeen business sponsors who purchased windows on the bus for $100 each, nearly $4000 was raised. These funds will be used to fill in the gaps and buy things that may not have been received....such as backpacks, kindergarten mats, and binders.
Vidor ISD principals, the superintendent, other administrators and a large handful of teachers and club sponsors spent the entire day braving the heat to guide teams of students from VMS Pirate Council, VHS FFA, VHS BBADD, and VHS National Honor Society to take up and organize supplies. Student teams labelled seats in the yellow bus so items could be sorted and organized for later distribution. Adults counted money and helped answer questions.
Vidor High School Interact and Vidor Rotary Clubs were also on hand with the new green bus. They collected a multitude of bags and boxes of back-to-school clothing, some used and some new, to be distributed by the United Christian Care Center. Although their drive focused on blue jeans and jackets, they also received other clothing items, many with the tags still in place. The items will be provided to help families whose children need, but cannot afford, school clothing. Interact plans to host a flip-flop drive early in the school year to gather shoes for those needing them.
Drive organizers extend a huge 'thank you' to all who donated supplies, offered a financial gift, sponsored a window, or worked to make the second Fill the Bus a success for Vidor students.
Our Schools
Related Photos
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Signs on the big yellow bus represented various local businesses and organizations sponsoring a window with a $100 donation. Courtesy photo
Discussion
Vidor citizens band together to "Fill the Bus"
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