School supply donation sites throughout Yuma County

While children are enjoying their summer break from school, the Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center is busy collecting new backpacks and school supplies for when they go back to school in August.

And the foundation just made it easier for community members to participate in the Drive for School Supplies. Thanks to Arizona Public Service, donation boxes have been placed throughout Yuma County.

To alleviate the financial burden on needy families, the drive is asking for donations of backpacks, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, three-ring binders, folders, notebook paper, rulers, erasers and dictionaries.

Drop-off locations include Yuma Regional Medical Center, Foundation of YRMC in the YRMC Corporate Center, AEA Federal Credit Union, Alexander Automotive Group, Applebee's, AWC, Big Lots, Bobby's Territorial Harley-Davidson, city of Yuma Public Works, Clear Talk Wireless, Daybreakers Cafe, Dillard's, Family Dollar Store, Foothill Shoes, Fisher Automotive, Gowan Company, Hoppstetter's Office Products, JCPenney, KCFY 88.1 FM, Mohave State Bank, National Bank of Arizona, Old Navy, Sheltra Insurance, Shippen & Associates, Sonora Nissan, Starbucks (Pacific, Yuma Palms and 4th Avenue locations), Sun Vista RV Resort, Super Cuts, The UPS Store, University of Phoenix, Walgreens, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Yuma City Hall, Yuma County Library District, Yuma Foothills Realty, Yuma Nursing Center and Yuma Police Department.

The backpacks and school supplies will be distributed among underprivileged children in Yuma and the surrounding communities.

Cash donations are also accepted. Each backpack filled with supplies costs $12. This year's drive has raised more than $36,000 toward the $46,000 goal. Donations can be made online at www.yumaregional.org, at the Foundation office or by calling the Foundation of YRMC at 928-336-7045.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Rachael Barkley, the drive's committee co-chair, expressed appreciation to APS for its role in supplying donation boxes. “The Drive for School Supplies is extremely grateful to the generosity of Arizona Public Service.”

“They provided all of the collection boxes that will be used to gather donated backpacks and school supplies,” co-chair Tom Tyree said. Also, “Yuma County businesses have been very supportive of the initiative, opening their doors to helping out this year's drive and hosting collection boxes in their establishments.”

For more information on donating to the Drive for School Supplies or volunteering, contact Serena Holthaus at sholthaus@yumaregional.org or 336-2445.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.