WVBOE delivers smiles and
school supplies to area students
The West Virginia Board of Education initiated a backpack school supply project for students in flood-affected areas shortly after the June floods occurred in West Virginia. Eight counties, 29 schools, and 9,600 students were identified as those in need.
On Aug. 25, project director and State Board Member Beverly Kingery, along with Logan County volunteers, arrived in Greenbrier County with supplies filling a U-Haul, a Logan County school bus, and a cargo trailer ready for delivery to students. Backpacks filled with supplies were given to students at Alderson Elementary, White Sulphur Springs Elementary, Rupert Elementary, Rainelle Elementary, Western Greenbrier Middle and Greenbrier West High schools. County board members and staff were on hand to assist with distribution.
“The spirit of the people of West Virginia and their giving hearts was truly alive and well throughout the project. The West Virginia Board of Education was privileged to assist the children they serve in this small manner during their time of distress,” said Kingery.
The project was funded entirely by donations from throughout West Virginia and 16 other states with individuals, businesses, organizations, churches, and civic groups contributing. Backpacks were assembled in early August, and deliveries to schools began August 5. Hundreds of volunteers from West Virginia and several other states received supplies, organized supplies, assembled bags, and loaded vehicles for delivery over ten days at a warehouse in Logan.
“This has been a tremendous day for these students and their schools. On their behalf, I want to extend our most sincere appreciation to Beverly Kingery, our State Board of Education and all who contributed to this project. There were lots of smiles on the faces of our students and an air of excitement and gratitude, as the supplies were being distributed today,” said Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bryant.
