Meet Elaine Johnson, Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County, and advocate forStuff the Bus!
Last year, Elaine mobilized her friends and community to donate over 300 backpacks to students in our community and this year she has set a goal of 400 backpacks. Learn more about why Elaine is passionate about supporting Stuff the Bus and how you can create your own fundraising campaign!
"Growing up in a family of seven children, we didn't have the financial means to get school supplies. I remember the struggle and embarrassment when the teacher would give me a note to send home requesting that my parents buy me the supplies on the list and how my classmates would pick on me for having used supplies (used binder, broken pencils, etc.). As I got older, my community would help my family by bringing us school supplies and receiving a box of new crayons made me feel worthy. I was so excited about them that I didn't want to use them for fear they would get worn down.
The backpacks filled with school supplies are tremendous, and there is so much more. The coming together of our community and beyond (my peeps and family in NYC, San Diego, Oakland, etc.) joined in to say YES to our students. Lifting the burden off families experiencing financial hardships and the breathing room from not having to worry about their child not having the tools they need to succeed in school is tremendous.
Seeing the community come together for our students can go a long way. I remember when the community helped my family. It built my confidence, so I did better in school because I didn't feel different.
Join us by inviting your friends, family, and colleagues to donate. Create your own personal campaign!"
Fundraising for Stuff the Bus starts this Monday, July 1st. If you are interested in creating your personal fundraising campaign, email Amanda Gamban at agamban@unitedwaysc.org.
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