Summer seems to be flying by, and there's just a month left before children will be back into the swing of things starting a new school year.
School supplies are on the shelves at local stores, and some students are deciding which characters should be on their new book bags.
The Exploits Valley Community Partners Group is hoping the community will jump on board and pick up some of those school supplies to help them "Stuff-A-Bus" for youth to make going back to school easier for a number of families in the area.
"We wanted to make it a big community event and a bus is a big symbol for school, and trying to get as many donations as we can into the actual bus," said Melissa Power, co-ordinator of programs and promotions at the Youth 2000 Centre (Y2C). "We are asking for donations of school supplies to be dropped off on Aug. 16 at the Exploits Valley Mall so we can fill backpacks and distribute them."
With a main focus of improving of families and communities through various projects, the group was formed in the fall of 2011, and consists of a number of organizations such as the Central West Committee Against Violence, Status of Women Central, RCMP, Central Health, Exploits Community Centre and the Youth 2000 Centre.
Starting 10 a.m. on Aug. 16, members from these organizations will be asking people to help "Stuff-A-Bus" with school supplies for all ages. Individuals and businesses are asked to donate supplies on this day at the Exploits Valley Mall.
"We are asking that businesses take it upon themselves and their employees and do a small inter-workplace drive," Power said, adding supplies should be general in nature, and geared towards students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Supplies will then be distributed to eligible individuals who have applied.
Applications are available at the Y2C at 34 Bond Street, Central West Committee Against Violence at 5 Hardy Avenue, Department of Advanced Education and Skills at 42 Hardy Avenue, YMCA at 13 Price's Avenue, Exploits Community Centre Bartle Place, and NL Housing Office at 5 Hardy Avenue.
Applications can be dropped off to Melissa Power at the Youth 2000 Centre, or Eileen Sullivan at the Exploits Community Centre.
Confidentiality is key.
Distribution will take place a week after the event, Aug. 23-Aug. 24.
"We want to reach out to as many families in need as we can," said Donna Ducey, community policing co-ordinator. "We all, in our work, deal with people in situations who need (the help), so we're partnered because of the need to reach out."
Nova Central School District is providing the school bus being used for the Stuff-A-Bus event.
Over the years the Aliant Pioneers, the Women's Centre, the NL Housing Tenants Association and the Y2C held a backpack for children program, and the group has come together to expand it.
"To the best of our knowledge, we think it's their project," Ducey said. "Our efforts stem from their work."
Those who cannot make it to the event on Aug. 16, can contact Power for drop off information.
For more information, contact Power at 489-7687 or Melissay2c@hotmail.com, or Dianne Stein at 489-8828, or cavadmin@nfld.net.
