What an incredible weekend at Mission Pack the Bus!
For three days, our community came together at OfficeMax in Turkey Creek to help children across rural Appalachia get ready for a new school year. What started as an empty school bus quickly became a beautiful reminder of what can happen when people come together to help others.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped by to donate school supplies. Every backpack, notebook, box of crayons, package of pencils, and classroom essential will help a child begin the school year prepared and encouraged.
These supplies are headed to students in the 29 schools served by Mission of Hope, helping nearly 10,000 childrenacross Southeast Kentucky, Northeast Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia.
More Than School Supplies
Mission Pack the Bus is about much more than filling a school bus.
It’s about reminding a child that they are seen, valued, and supported. For some students, having a new backpack filled with the supplies they need can make a big difference when they walk into the classroom on the first day of school.
As Mission of Hope Executive Director David Heatherly shared, “Every backpack, notebook, and box of crayons represents more than a school supply—it reminds a child that they are loved and supported.”
That is the heart of Mission Pack the Bus.
Thank You to Our Community
We are so thankful to Turkey Creek for organizing this special event and to OfficeMax for hosting Mission of Hope throughout the weekend. Their partnership gave our community a place to come together and make a difference.
And, of course, we couldn’t have done it without our incredible volunteers.
Our volunteers spent the weekend greeting donors, collecting supplies, organizing donations, and helping keep everything moving. Their willingness to give their time and serve others is such an important part of what makes Mission Pack the Bus possible.
A very special thank you goes to our Volunteer Coordinator, Cathy, for all of the time and effort she put into organizing our volunteers and helping make the weekend such a success. We are so thankful for all she does!
A Community That Shows Up
One of the most encouraging parts of Mission Pack the Bus is seeing how many people are willing to stop, give, and help.
Some people brought one item. Others brought bags full of supplies. Businesses and organizations collected donations ahead of time. Volunteers gave their time. And together, those individual acts of generosity added up to something much bigger.
A school supply may seem like a small gift, but when an entire community comes together, those small gifts can make a tremendous impact.
We are grateful to everyone who helped us fill the bus—not just with school supplies, but with hope.
Thank you for helping Mission of Hope continue to serve children and families throughout rural Appalachia. We couldn’t do what we do without your generosity, your time, and your continued support.
Together, we are helping children start the school year ready to learn, ready to grow, and knowing that their community cares about them.
Want to learn more about Mission of Hope or find out how you can get involved? Visit missionofhope.org.
