teen Robert Pafford is organizing a “Stuff the Bus” event in support of the inaugural “Supplying Success” community school supply drive that kicked off July 12 and continues through Aug. 2.
Set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 outside the North Royalton Discount Drug Mart, the “Stuff the Bus” event aims to “stuff” a parked school bus with school supply donations. Supply needs range from the basics like pencils, crayons, markers, pens, folders and colored pencils to the “most needed supplies” including index cards, three-subject notebooks, headphones/earbuds, three-ring binders and the TI-34 multi-view calculator, according to a top 10 list distributed by “Supplying Success” leader Stacey Kelley.
“I see it as that it’s always great to help kids in getting the same level of education by supplying them with much-needed school supplies and that it is important to help out other people in your community and give back,” Pafford said.
The 17-year-old year incoming Saint Ignatius senior is a member of Boy Scout Troop 526. The “Stuff the Bus” event serves as his Eagle Scout project. Pafford has been a member of Boy Scouts since the first grade.
“In order to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout, you need to complete a project that by definition, ‘leads a group to better the community,’ whether it’s building something or collecting something. The whole idea revolves around leading a group of people to help out the community,” Pafford explained.
On July 27, those looking to “Stuff the Bus” with school supply donations will find Pafford and Kelley in the North Royalton Discount Drug Mart parking lot outside a big yellow school bus along with other Boy Scout members on-hand to help. Kelley created the community school supply drive after noticing a need not being supported within North Royalton. “Supplying Success” runs through August 2 with six drop-off sites scattered throughout the city: the library, Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, the City Schools Administration Building, City Hall, Royalton Woods and the YMCA. More information can be found on the “Supplying Success” Facebook page, SupplyingSuccessNR.
“I am so impressed and grateful that Robert has taken on the ‘Stuff the Bus’ project in support of ‘Supplying Success,’” Kelley said in an email. “It is such an amazing feeling to know that there are young people out there invested in making a difference in the community around them.”
“Patrons can hand off their donations to the team stationed at Discount Drug Mart or purchase the items inside while they are doing their regular shopping,” Pafford said. He will be distributing fliers that list the most needed supplies.
Along with the upcoming “Stuff the Bus” event, the Baseball Boosters recently sponsored drop-off nights at York Road Recreation Fields. Vestige Digital Investigations took it one step further and recently offered to match corporate donations up to $500.
“I am humbled by the number of North Royalton residents who have reached out looking for opportunities to help us by volunteering their time,” Kelley said. “The community is really starting to come together to support our neighbors in need. Those needing assistance can contact us via phone, email or Facebook.”
To learn more about Supplying Success and to sign up, email SupplyingSuccessNR@gmail.com or call (440) 237-7958 Ext. 244. Interested volunteers or those looking for more tips on donating can also use the provided contact information.
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer