Black Hills FCU Donates Over 120,000 School Supplies
August 29, 2019
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RAPID CITY, S.D. – Continuing their mission of improving lives, Black Hills Federal Credit Union donated more than 120,000 school supplies to more than 60 area schools on Friday during their 23rd Annual School Supply Drive “Load the Bus” celebration.
The school supply drive provides more than 20,000 students in 17 communities across the Black Hills and South Dakota with the supplies they need for a successful school year. Educators distribute the supplies to students as needed, said Heidi Bulman, community development officer at BHFCU.
“We know that with the price and number of school supplies needed, it can be difficult for families on a tight budget to send their children back to school fully prepared,” Bulman said. “The drive gives teachers the ability to equip their students with the supplies and resources they need to fully engage in classroom activities.”
To gather the necessary supplies, the credit union relies on donations from its members, the community and area businesses. Funds are also raised through a community-wide caramel roll sale and raffle. Additionally, their annual Bus-to-Business event gives area businesses and organizations the opportunity to contribute to the drive by helping to fill a school bus with supplies.
“The drive is truly a testament to our members and community partners, who year-after-year go above and beyond for area students and teachers,” said Carol Brown, vice president of marketing and business development at BHFCU. “What started as just a few boxes of supplies has grown into an amazing community-wide project, thanks to our local businesses and supporters.”
In preparation for the 2019-2020 school year, BHFCU’s employees spent countless hours over the summer collecting, sorting and packaging supplies for area schools. The drive is also supported by the Black Hills FCU Charitable Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
About Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Established in Rapid City in 1941, Black Hills Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit, financial cooperative serving more than 73,000 members. The community-chartered credit union has locations in Pierre, Rapid City, Custer, Eagle Butte, Hot Springs, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Sturgis, and Wall, South Dakota. For more information, visit bhfcu.com.