To the editor:

Schools in Bedford County are back in session and thanks to the generosity of so many people no student should be without proper supplies for the school year.

A big thank you to everyone who helped United Way of Bedford County collect more than 10,000 individual items, enough to fill 152 boxes with useful school items.

United Way of Bedford County is so thankful to local industries who understand the importance of supporting those in need locally. Newell Brands, Jostens, Shelbyville Pencil (SHEPENCO), Musgrave Pencil, Tyson Foods and Tennova Healthcare were all instrumental in making major donations of supplies.

In addition, Tyson Foods also made a generous check donation to help fill gaps in supplies we might have experienced. Tennova also made financial contributions. The Shelbyville Optimist Club can’t be thanked enough for the $2,000 check they provided. Financial support is invaluable in this supply drive.

When schools run low on supplies at mid-year, we will have the funds to buy what is needed.

A thank you to Wal-Mart for allowing UWBC to set up a school bus and tables for donations on “Stuff the Bus” Day. Kenny Parker always has the bus there on time and makes sure it is returned to the garage and we thank him for that important work.

Thanks also to Steve Murphree who brought a bus to Tyson for their donation day.

“Stuff the Bus” campaigns were held for several weeks at various banks and other businesses: Heritage South Credit Union, Peoples Bank of Middle Tennessee. Pinnacle Financial, Regions Bank, Traders Bank, First National Bank, FirstBank and First Community Bank all posted yellow boxes for donations.

Businesses such as H.B. Cowan Insurance and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette displayed a yellow box as well. Tennessee College of Applied Technology also helped by sponsoring a box. While they did not have an in-store promotion BYT Nutrition made a large donation on “Stuff the Bus” Day and we appreciate their support of the community as a new business.

Sorting and boxing the supplies was a huge challenge. A big thank you to Connie Boutwell, Marilyn Morgan, Kennedy Clarkson, Linda Forsee and Claudia House and the Shelbyville Central High School National Honor Society for completing this overwhelming project in a timely manner.

I greatly appreciate 93.9 “The Duck” and WZNG-AM and WLIJ-AM for their promotion of the event as well.

The need is great in Shelbyville and Bedford County for so may families. UWBC would like to expand the yellow box program. We would also like to add more industries to the list of supporters either through in-house campaigns for supplies or by being willing to let us supply a box.

Please let us know of your interest by sending an email to director@unitedwaybedford.org or a check to P.O. Box 1438, Shelbyville, TN 37162.

Mark McGee, Executive Director

United Way of Bedford County