PACE — The Pace Walmart partnered with United Way of Santa Rosa County to help the less fortunate children of the area through United Way’s “Cram the Van.”
Volunteers from Milton High School, Pace High School and Naval Air Station Whiting Field worked together to assist United Way in collecting school supplies for children.
They stood at the Walmart entrances greeting customers and explaining the need for school supplies for needy children. Pensacola country music radio station Cat Country 98.7 provided music. A van decorated with stickers of school supplies was parked right out front of the store so donators could conveniently drop off their gifts.
According to Ronald Densen, campaign director for the program, in 2017 the event supplied over 1,000 book bags to children filled with items like flash drives, calculators, headphones, construction paper, and pencils.
“We clearly know that there is a shortfall in the kids going to school every year not having the appropriate tools in hand,” Densen said.
He said the event is made possible by United Way SRC and its partners: WEAR TV, Sandy Sansing, and Cat Country.
“Our goal is kind of to feed that real strong need in our community,” Densen said.
He said that after the event they will use the cash donations to fill the book bags with the school supplies. Their goal, he said, is for children who are in need to come to the United Way and choose a bag and be ready for school just like any other child.
“When they walk into school day one, they are no different than any other student whose parent has the affordability for required school supplies,” he said. “They are…equal.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Clark, responsible for coordinating Whiting Field volunteers for the event, said they were always looking to be involved in the community.
“We are just showing a representation from the command to give back to the community in any way we can,” Clark said.
Applications for Cram the Van will be accepted until July 31. Donations will be accepted until Aug. 3. For additional information regarding Cram the Van, call 623-4507.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Cram the van