The Long Island Nets are partnering with United Way of Long Island to organize the 11th annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign. The nationally renowned program is intended to help local students in low socioeconomic communities head back to school prepared with new backpacks and other essential school supplies, so they have the tools to excel in the classroom and beyond.
This year’s partners include the Town of North Hempstead and several Nassau County elected officials, including Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Councilman Anthony P. D’Esposito, Councilman Tom Muscarella, Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, Assemblyman Ed Ra and Legislator Laura Schaefer. Target will also partner with the Long Island Nets to provide thousands of school supplies to several Town of Hempstead and Nassau County beneficiaries through the program.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with United Way of Long Island on their annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign, and to use our platform to help local students start the school year with confidence,” said Long Island Nets Vice President of Business Operations Alton Byrd. “Our organization recognizes the importance of giving back to the community, and we hope to leverage our unique position in Long Island to enrich the lives of youth right in our own backyard.”
Through Sept. 3, the Long Island Nets will collect school supplies at various locations throughout Nassau County. The donated supplies will then be distributed to local schools so students in need can receive them in advance of the 2019-20 school year. For a full list of Nassau County drop-off locations visit: www.longislandnets.com.
Community members are asked to participate by donating new school supplies and backpacks. Suggested items for donation include binders, colored pencils, erasers, glue sticks, notebooks, pencils, pens, and backpacks.
“We are proud to partner with the Long Island Nets to deliver school supplies throughout Nassau County,” said stated Theresa A. Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “Stuff-A-Bus is an incredibly important program that directly impacts young students’ success in the classroom. It provides a confidence boost and motivation to learn for children whose families may not be able to afford new notebooks, or other needed school supplies.”
In celebration of United Way of Long Island’s campaign, the initiative will culminate with Stuff-A-Bus Day at NYCB Live on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the exhibition hall. During this time, volunteers will help sort and pack the essential items students need at the start of the new school year. After the sorting is complete, school buses will deliver the supplies to the beneficiaries.
“The Long Island Nets are proving yet again that they are much more than just a basketball team,” said North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “They’ve demonstrated a commitment to the residents of North Hempstead and beyond in a variety of ways, and this year’s Stuff-A-Bus campaign is no different. This is such a wonderful program, and I’m so pleased to be collaborating with the Long Island Nets to ensure that our students are properly prepared for the upcoming school year.”
“The Town of North Hempstead and I are proud to partner with the Long Island Nets in providing resources to students in need,” said council member Viviana Russell. “It’s vital that we equip our youth with the tools required to succeed, and having a full backpack of supplies will provide many students with the confidence required to tackle the tasks ahead of them.”
The Long Island Nets have participated in United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus campaign since 2017 and have helped provide nearly 350,000 school supplies to over 13,000 students across Long Island. The team’s initiative was recognized as a 2017-18 Top Social Responsibility Program by the NBA G League out of hundreds of community programs activated by the league’s 26 teams.
“I am proud to join with my colleagues in government, the Long Island Nets and the United Way in support of this great cause,” said Hempstead Town Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby. “No child should go back to school embarrassed or concerned because they do not have the proper school supplies. I know that our residents will step up and ensure that this is not the case for our local students.”
United Way also partners with five Long Island bus transportation companies, Baumann Bus Company, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. Educational Bus Transportation, Huntington Coach Corporation, East End Bus Lines, to deliver school supplies to students in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
“As many families are enjoying the last days of summer and starting to return to routine, other families, right in our own communities, struggle with school shopping because purchasing the needed supplies adds a financial burden,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra. “I am happy to support this effort that will give comfort to these families as their children return to school.”
There are several ways for organizations and individuals to get involved:
- Stuff-A-Bus Collection Drives: now through Sept. 3
- Stuff-A-Bus Sort-A-Thon: Thursday, Sept. 5 at NYCB Live
- Make a contribution through the Long Island Nets/United Way of Long Island fundraising page: https://www.unitedwayli.org/HelpStuffABus
For additional information about Stuff-A-Bus, please visit: www.longislandnets.com
