As most schools prepare to open for fall classes, a pair of local Councilmen are asking for donations of school supplies – while having some friendly competition.
Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh and Columbia City Councilman Ed McDowell are competing to see who can collect the most materials for children in and around their respective districts. Pugh and McDowell represent District 2 in the County and City, respectively.
Residents can contribute school supplies to the Back to School Supply Drive from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at Page Ellington Park, 1640 Freed Drive, Columbia (in the BullStreet District).
“This is a great opportunity for both governmental entities to work together in a positive way in our community,” Pugh said.
All manner of school supplies can be donated to the effort, including but not limited to:
- Book bags
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencils and colored pencils
- Pens
Donations will be collected inside a school bus at the park, which the Councilmen hope to fill up with supplies. The Councilman who collects the most school supplies by the end of the day wins the friendly competition.
Residents can also donate items toward Councilman Pugh’s effort before Aug. 21 by dropping them off at the County Clerk of Council’s office, on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Monetary donations will not be accepted.
Supplies collected by Pugh will go to Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School, Carolina School for Inquiry, and Sandel Elementary School, while supplies from McDowell’s bus will go to Burton Pack Elementary, Carver Lyon Elementary and Watkins-Nance Elementary schools.
In addition to Richland County and the City of Columbia, the school supply drive is being held in partnership with: KISS 103.1 FM (WLXC), The Solomon Law Group, White Brown Smiles, Unique Computers, and Heyward Career & Tech Center.