It may seem like summer has just begun, but “Back to School” time is just around the corner. This year, Fulton Homes is gearing up for the new school year with their Stuff the Bus campaign. Held at Chandler Fashion Center, the summer-long event benefits the Children First Academy of Tempe. The Fulton Homes Stuff the Bus initiative collects new backpacks, school supplies and clothing for the kids of the Children First Academy of Tempe, formerly the Thomas J. Pappas School. Fulton Homes, along with partner 99.9 KEZ, will be kicking off the program on Tuesday, June 22nd with a live remote from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 99.9 KEZ radio personality Marty Manning will also be on-site at various times throughout the event. The Chandler Fashion Center is located at Chandler Boulevard and Loop 101.
Stuff the Bus, which runs through July 21, is a promotion that is true to its name. There will be a full-size school bus parked inside the Chandler Fashion Center, located in the Macy’s Court. The bus will be painted with the handprints of all the children involved with Children First Academy, and the handprints will detail the items that each child needs for a successful school year. Donators have the option of either choosing one of the handprints and purchasing the items specific to that child, or simply donating general supplies. Located at the bus will be a list of items that the children will be in need of for this year. The categories are split up into school supplies, clothing, and hygiene kits.
For those who wish to donate to Stuff the Bus, Fulton Homes and 99.9 KEZ are making the experience as fun and convenient as possible. Whenever the Chandler Fashion Center is open, there will be volunteers from the Maricopa County Schoolhouse Foundation ready to accept any and all donated items. KEZ Radio personality Marty Manning will also be on-site at Chandler Fashion Center the following dates:
June 22nd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Kick Off)
June 26th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
July 2nd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
July 3rd – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
July 9th – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
July 16th – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
July 23rd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
July 24th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
“Lending a helping hand to families in need across the Valley is extremely gratifying and it perfectly complements our mission of developing people, not just homes,” remarks Douglas Fulton, CEO of Tempe-based homebuilder Fulton Homes. “Everyone deserves an education, and we are incredibly proud that Stuff the Bus program will help some very deserving children start the school year off right with some of the tools they need to succeed.”
All of the items donated to Stuff the Bus will go directly to the students at Children First Academy of Tempe. The Tempe Campus of Children First Academy opened as a Pappas school in 2001 and specializes in providing education to kids of homeless or underprivileged families. Many Valley residents might be familiar with the school’s previous name, the Thomas J. Pappas School, which provided these same opportunities to families. “Helping disadvantaged children receive an education has always been the priority of Children First Academy of Tempe,” says Diane Fernichio, Assistant Principal of the school. “As every parent knows,” states Fernichio, “The cost of starting school each year continues to rise. Clothes and school supplies can be difficult to afford for the average student. For families in need, it becomes impossible.”