Vester Auto Group donates 1,000 backpacks and supplies

Wilson County Schools received a big donation boost Wednesday when the Hubert Vester Auto Group donated 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to the district’s 13th annual Operation Backpack Drive. It’s part of a much larger effort to collect 3,000 backpacks for the district’s neediest students prior to the start of school.

“To see the support of Operation Backpack continue at such a high level year after year for over a decade is such an incredible blessing,” said Amber Lynch, public relations director for Wilson County Schools. “We get so excited about all of the donations that come in, and it warms our hearts knowing that students will start the school year off on the right foot.”

There’s still time left if you or your business wants to help. The deadline is Thursday. Lynch pointed out that some students still use the same backpacks and school supplies from kindergarten through their senior year.

“These are essential items, and every donation means the world,” said Lynch, who is the project organizer.

HOW TO DONATE

Folks can donate backpacks filled with school supplies from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive. Backpacks need to be at least 17 inches tall, with no wheels or drawstring bags. Supplies needed for each backpack include a box of Crayons, six pencils, two pens, two highlighters, one pencil pouch, one three-ring binder, one pack of looseleaf paper, two pocket folders, two spiral notebooks and one handheld pencil sharpener.

Tax-deductible monetary donations will be used to purchase backpacks and supplies. Checks can be made payable to Wilson County Schools with “Backpack Drive” written in the memo line. Mail checks to Wilson County Schools, Attn: Amber Lynch, P.O. Box 2048, Wilson NC 27894. For more information, email Amber Lynch at amber.lynch@wilsonschoolsnc.net . You can also go online through the district’s partnership with Chick-fil-A of Wilson by donating money through owner Christy Proctor’s GoFundMe campaign.

HOW IT WORKS

Lynch said the district has received 1,112 backpacks so far and heard from several organizations and businesses that are in the process of sending monetary donations or backpacks. She added that district has additionally ordered 1,200 backpacks filled with supplies using funds that were donated to Operation Backpack.

“We are grateful to every individual, business and organization that has donated so far to our Operation Backpack drive,” said Wilson County Schools Superintendent Lane Mills. “We are fortunate to live in a community that always goes above and beyond to support our students and schools.”

Lynch said organizers reach out to schools to find out how many backpacks they anticipate needing. The district also likes to have extra backpacks on hand in case schools need more throughout the school year. The backpacks will be distributed directly to students in Wilson County Schools.

“School staff will ensure that the students who are most in need of a backpack receive one prior to the first day of school in August,” Lynch said.

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