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Collection beginning for stuff-a-bus campaign

STEUBENVILLE — Collections will get underway as Steubenville City Schools kicks off its annual stuff-a-bus Christmas campaign on Friday.

Officials have held the event for nearly a decade and provided hundreds of district kids with the happiest of holidays. Amy Colantoni, SCS public relations and fundraising specialist, began the project in 2017 and has returned to organize this year’s efforts.

“We will hold stuff-a-bus on Dec. 3, which coincides with the National Day of Giving,” Colantoni said. “It will kick off at 9:30 a.m. outside the high school with a ribbon cutting and area leaders and sponsors will be invited to attend.”

The Big Red Marching Band will perform, and student volunteers will help fill a school bus with donated gift items. The bus will travel to all six district schools as well as participating sites to gather all of the presents. Meanwhile, the collection starts Friday, and anyone interested may drop off donations to any district school or event sponsor. Colantoni added that the community has been profoundly kind and benefited roughly 235 Steubenville children in recent years.

“We’re so grateful for the community partners who help spread holiday cheer by generously donating. This event aims to fill a school bus with gifts that will be provided to families in need this season,” she continued.

The district’s six schools as well as 13 sponsors –including businesses — have been involved, while figures showed that 79 families were supported and nearly 1,800 items were gathered. Gifts may include toys, personal hygiene items, sporting or athletic equipment such as basketballs and footballs, board games, baby dolls, LEGOS, clothing, coats and winter accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves. The presents are selected by the child’s age and gender and can be dropped off at the schools through November or the day of the stuff-a-bus activity, then they will be sorted and distributed the week of Dec. 16 just in time for Christmas.

“It’s nice to work with building principals and staff because they know their families. This even incorporates students who can help organize the items or help package everything. In years past, the global logistics and supply chain management class helped set routes so we could be efficient and effective with our time.”

Colantoni said officials travel within a 15-mile radius to disperse the presents so the kids and their families may enjoy the Christmas season. She thanked the district board, administration and schools for their support and said it was a team effort to make the project successful.

“It truly is a team collaborative. I think Christmas is all about making a difference, and there’s no greater feeling than to be able to help.”

Anyone interested in being a sponsor and helping their school community can contact Colantoni at (740) 282-9741, extension 7113, or by e-mail at amy.colantoni@rollred.org.

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