The best part about raising funds to buy school supplies for students in-need is what happens once the money is spent.
Bobbi Balshaw, business support manager at the Millstream Staples Business Depot has been involved with the Stock the Lockers school supply drive since it was first held on the South Island three years ago.
Her reward, she says, is sharing the moment when teachers and student representatives pick up their gift cards and shop for the students who wouldnB次元官网网址檛 otherwise have supplies for the upcoming school year.
B次元官网网址淲hen theyB次元官网网址檝e got three or four shopping carts of stuff and theyB次元官网网址檙e almost in tears, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty exciting,B次元官网网址� Balshaw said.
From now through September, customers at Staples can give at the till, or donate particular items of need at any of the three locations in Greater Victoria at 747 Fort St. downtown, 780 Tolmie Ave. in Saanich and 789 McCallum Dr. in Langford.
B.C. is the frontrunner in the national campaign, started in Nanaimo in 2007.
Last year, Victoria Staples stores raised $15,000 for the cause. For 2011, theyB次元官网网址檝e upped their goal to $25,000.
B次元官网网址淭his year, weB次元官网网址檙e reaching out further,B次元官网网址� Balshaw said.
To help get there faster, the team has organized a family fundraiser that is set to take over the parking lot of the Millstream location on Aug. 27. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a barbecue, dunk tank and raffle.
One hundred per cent of the donations go toward the supplies without any administration costs, allowing the business to stretch donations as far as possible.
B次元官网网址淲e want to get it out there that there are a lot of kids that just canB次元官网网址檛 afford school supplies,B次元官网网址� Balshaw added.
Stock the Lockers is aided by local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and supports students at schools throughout Greater Victoria and elsewhere on the Island.
Families in need of supplies may submit their names to the principal of each school who will then pass that information along to Staples.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
