Boys Town Nebraska

Boys Town Grand Island Youth Care Worker Bobbi Duryea and Teacher Colleen Friesen stock the Assessment and Short Residential Program full of supplies donated by the community for the "Stuff the Bus" campaign, sponsored by Grand Island Public Schools.

Youth Helped Back to School with Donated Supplies

Youth at the Boys Town Grand Island Assessment and Short Term Residential Program are going back to school with the tools they need to succeed thanks to the generosity of the community.

For the second year in a row, the Grand Island program benefited from the “Stuff the Bus” campaign, sponsored by Grand Island Public Schools. The campaign allows members of the community to donate school supplies to children unable to afford what they need. The schools handed out more than 300 free backpacks filled with supplies to area children. The remaining supplies were given to area nonprofit organizations including Boys Town.

“The supplies really help the kids enrolled in our alternative school,” said Dave Reed, Boys Town Grand Island Program Director. “The school allows our kids to keep up on their schooling while in our care. They get the one-on-one attention they need to succeed.”

More than 50 v olunteers spent more than 500 hours collecting items, stuffing backpacks and handing out the supplies. Several Boys Town volunteers and youth helped gather the donations.

“They went to local businesses sponsoring the event and passed out flyers asking people to donate school supplies to the campaign,” said Reed. “Volunteering is a great way for our kids to put their social skills to use and learn about giving back to their community.”

“Through their volunteerism and their donations, the Grand Island community came through and showed how much they care,” stated Verna Haberman, outreach coordinator for Grand Island Public Schools. “ Grand Island is such a caring community, I couldn't think of a better place to raise a family.”

Area businesses Kmart, ShopKo, Wal-Mart, KayBee Toys, Waldenbooks, Riddle's Jewelry and theatres participated in the annual campaign.