By. Alexis Hill, Intern
Now in its 15th year, Stuff the Bus provides essential school supplies to students across the United Way’s seven-county service area. The program works directly with 10 school systems to ensure children in need have the materials necessary for a successful start to the school year.
Hospital departments added a creative touch to this year’s campaign by participating in a friendly decorating contest, transforming boxes and other materials into themed school buses to collect donations.
The hospital’s Critical Care Unit (CCU) earned top honors with a handcrafted school bus featuring individually illustrated students and a bus driver, complete with working lights. The award-winning display was created by Pam Reeves, whose artistic design highlighted the hospital’s commitment to community service.
The decorated buses and collected school supplies were delivered to Robert E. Lee Elementary School, Jack T. Farrar Elementary School, Bel-Aire Elementary School, and East Lincoln Elementary School. Overall, supplies gathered throughout the community were distributed to all eight Tullahoma City Schools, including Tullahoma Virtual Academy.
“It was truly amazing to see our community join together to gather the needed school supplies to support our youth and teachers,” said Ashley Gibbs, Regional Director of United Way of South Central Tennessee. “I personally saw one of the elementary schools leave out backpacks and some supplies for families to pick up at their orientation. It was a full-circle moment to see children excitedly picking out their backpacks while giving parents a little relief. You truly never know everyone’s circumstances, and having one less expense can make a meaningful difference. Thank you to Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, along with the many businesses, churches, and individuals who gathered supplies and donated them to Stuff the Bus.”
United Way officials say the campaign’s success is made possible through partnerships with local businesses, organizations and volunteers who work together to ensure students begin the school year with the tools they need to learn and succeed.
For the past 15 years, Stuff the Bus has helped thousands of students across southern Middle Tennessee start the school year prepared, reinforcing the importance of investing in education and supporting local families.
