Brandon & Sun City Center Kiwanis "Stuff the Bus" declared a success!

This morning came early for Dustie Amatangelo, Kiwanis Brandon, and Seel Lundy, Kiwanis Sun City Center. This was the morning they and their faithful team of volunteers would conclude the campaign to collect and deliver to the principals as East Hillsborough public schools boxes of school supplies.

The principals for each school will now begin to distribute the supplies to students within their school that need assistance. “Stuff the Bus will be a welcome relief to administration, educators and countless families touched by the great support of our community,” said Dustie Amatangelo.

As I approached the K-Mart on Highway 60 in Brandon, I saw the ever familiar yellow school bus, punctual as if it were a regular school day picking us students. But, today it was waiting for school supplies donated by the community and local businesses from across East Hillsborough County. Regular bus driver Paul Bogart volunteered his bus and his time for Stuff the Bus. Paul was not getting a lot of rest as supplies were being lifted to him from delivery vehicles by Brett Lundy.

"Local businesses have been a huge support," said Amatangelo. One pick up truck pulled up with boxes of supplies collected at his place of business. Mike Fried, owner of Robeks, a provider of premium/quality smoothies and juices, had placed a collection bin at his business in the Plaza Bella on Bloomindale Blvd. in Brandon, FL. Robeks customers as well as other businesses in the plaze had contributed.

Mike Freid, Dustie Amatangelo and Brett Seel Stuffed the Bus

"Children are in need and we have to make a commitment to them so they can have the materials and supplies required to be successful in school," stated Amatangelo. "They are our future and we need to take care of them today," she added.

Asked about what happens next year now that there was a successful first year, "Next year we are going to network and link all of the Kiwanis Chapters across the county so that all of the schools in Hillsborough get the support they need!"

Localism: Brandon Florida