Drive Provides Tools for Success

Arrowhead United Way hosted its annual school supply drive with the help of local companies in an attempt to improve access and remove barriers to education, while promoting academic success. The drive was held to gather essential school supplies for underserved elementary school students in the Arrowhead United Way service area. Bins were stacked high with supplies, and empty backpacks filled the Arrowhead United Way conference room, which were valued at over $12,000. Donors included Wells Fargo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, BNSF, the McLane Company, Cal State San Bernardino, Cargill Inc., ITT Technical Institute, Gresham & Savage Law Firm, Bank of America, Target, County of San Bernardino, and other private donors. In-person help came from volunteers from Fed Ex Ground, Kohl’s, BNSF Railway, Inland Empire Job Corps, and San Bernardino County Child and Family Services, who gave their time to help stuff empty backpacks with the donated supplies. Volunteers from the groups formed an assembly line in the United Way office and filled over 700 backpacks with paper, pencils, folders, erasers, rulers and more. “It’s a wonderful thing to see such amazing support from the community, especially when they’re able to get out and donate their time. We had an amazing turnout for the event this year, and we know students are going to appreciate getting the things they really need to help them succeed in school” said Doug Rowand, president, Arrowhead United Way. All of the backpacks were donated to three school districts: Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD), San Bernardino City, and Rialto Unified School District. An additional $1,200 in supplies was also donated to the Rim of the World and Bear Valley School Districts. Backpacks and supplies will be distributed to elementary school children in need of basic school supplies.