School Supply Drive a Success
Students in Washington County have headed back to class for the 2022-23 school year. For many of those students, finding the extra funds to pay for school supplies can be a challenge. In order to help our community out with that challenge, Stephen Wade hosted a school supply drive this month and donated a truckload of supplies to the Washington County School District Foundation.
Just like any mechanic needs the right tools to fix and maintain your vehicle, kids need the right tools to succeed in school. With that in mind, the Stephen Wade family of dealerships gathered car loads of supplies for Washington County students. And with the support of donations form the community their goal of providing as much help as possible was achieved.
When times are tough, the community is responsible to help make sure every student is set up for success, public relations director Jamie Bahlmann said. “So many of our teachers pay for supplies out of their own pocket,” she said. “It’s so important for us to support our students in our community and give them the opportunity to succeed.”
On August 21st, all donated items were delivered to the school district office so they could be sent to schools throughout Washington County for counselors to distribute as needed. For students whose families lack the financial means to adequately prepare them for the school year ahead, counselors may be their only resource to get supplies. We are proud to have been able to help make sure every kid in Southern Utah returns to class with a full backpack and starts the school year with confidence.
“We’ll bought supplies to put in the vehicles s as well,” Bahlmann said. “We’re so happy we managed to fill every vehicle at every dealership deliver the supplies to the school district for our students.”
The school supply drive is just one of many community service programs Stephen Wade sponsors throughout the year. Last holiday season, the group sponsored “wish trees” to gather necessities for at-risk and homeless youth in the local area.
Additionally, the Stephen Wade Auto Center group supports youth sports, art and science programs, school athletic teams, local school clubs and other organizations through the Kick4Cash and Shoot4Cash programs. They sponsor sporting events, concerts, festivals, medical programs and nonprofit initiatives, including the Washington County School District Foundation classroom grants.
“That’s what we do, give back to the community that supports us,” Bahlmann said. “The people of Southern Utah are who we truly care about.”
