Beaufort County Schools and Beaufort County United Way Join Walmart in Back-to-School Supply Drive Beaufort County | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Washington, NC     Beaufort County Schools, Beaufort County United Way and Washington Walmart Super Center are proud to announce participation in a statewide partnership with Walmart to collect school supplies for economically-disadvantaged students in local communities throughout the state.

    Now in its second year, the 2012 "Build A Backpack" back-to-school supply drive is the largest school supply drive ever conducted by Walmart in North Carolina, involving all 139 local Walmart stores across the state. In other areas of the state, the campaign is being spearheaded by Communities in Schools North Carolina (CISNC). Since there is no local chapter of CISNC, Beaufort County United Way will act as local sponsor and partner with Walmart and Beaufort County Schools to combine its successful "Stuff the Bus" drive with "Build A Backpack". According to Mark Hamblin, Executive Director of Beaufort County United Way, "The combining of Build A Backpack with Stuff the Bus will essentially expand a tremendously successful Stuff the Bus campaign from one day to one month and provide much needed school supplies to those in need here in Beaufort County".

    The campaign, which will launch July 30, 2012, and run until August 31, 2012, will have bins available in all Walmart stores to collect donated school supply items. The items will be distributed to local low-income public school students. During Tax Free weekend, Stuff the Bus will conduct its traditional event to "stuff" a school bus with school supplies on Saturday, August 4th. The yellow bus will be parked outside Walmart from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tax Free Saturday.

    "We could not be more thrilled with the success of the 'Build a Backpack' supply drive last year," said Ronny Hayes, Regional Vice President of Walmart and CISNC Board Member. "It is our hope that the success of this campaign piloted here in North Carolina, with the invaluable help of Communities In Schools and other organizations like the United Way, will ensure that the neediest students be the recipients of the collected items and continue to serve as a model across the country and amount to even greater accomplishments this coming summer."
Tim Schuman, Nannie Grady and Liz Sadler, Walmart employees, seen here taking part in the 2011 campaign.
    Local Walmart Manager, Chris Evans states, "The Build a Backpack program is an incredible opportunity for Walmart, its employees and its customers to show their commitment to the academic success of all students in Beaufort County. By working together, we can ensure that our young people have access to necessary school supplies and show through our actions the importance of education."

    Dr. Don Phipps, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, explained what it means to see the community come together for the children of the county. "We are fortunate to have such strong community partners as the Beaufort County United Way and our local Walmart Super Center. This type of community partnership is a priceless contribution to the success of our students."


Just look for the big yellow bus in front of the Washington Walmart Store on August 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.


    CONTACT: Mark Hamblin
       Executive Director
       Beaufort County United Way
       Office: (252) 975-6209


    Call/email if you have questions.

    Sarah Hodges
    Public Information Officer
    Beaufort County Schools
      252.946.6593 office
      252.402.5834 cell
      shodges@beaufort.k12.nc.us e-mailoto)

    Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,029 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.