Marion County government employees collected over 8,400 items for their annual Mission: Bus Brigade school supply drive.
The results of the drive were announced by Marion County BCC Executive Director of Administrative Services Amanda Tart during the Tuesday, August 3 regular meeting of the board.
The items were collected by different departments within the government as part of an intra-office competition. The Public and Environmental Services division collected 1,680 items, the Public Works and Gross Services division collected 3,100 items, and the Administration division collected 3,644 items.
The Public Safety Communications department was recognized with the Golden Ruler award for going “well above and beyond” and donating over 2,050 items to this year’s drive.
“We are going to be good stewards and make sure that these backpacks and these supplies are going to be placed in the hands of the students that need them, through no fault of their own,” said Marion County School Board Vice Chair Kelly King.
According to Marion County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes, the items totaled over $15,000.
Students return to Marion County Public School classrooms next Tuesday, August 10.