United Way Launches Classroom Champions Week to Support Local Teachers and Students
United Way of Greater Central Michigan is inviting businesses, organizations, families, and individuals to become Classroom Champions during a special week-long effort to support local elementary classrooms. From August 10–14, the community is encouraged to sponsor one or more classrooms through United Way's Stuff the Bus campaign. The goal is to help provide teachers with the supplies they need to prepare students for a successful school year.
Unlike traditional school supply drives, Stuff the Bus provides elementary teachers with gift cards, allowing them to purchase the specific supplies their classrooms need most. From books and art supplies to tissues, disinfecting wipes, STEM materials, and organizational tools, each classroom has unique needs—and this approach gives teachers the flexibility to meet them.
United Way's goal is to sponsor all 1,069 elementary classrooms across Gratiot, Isabella, Montcalm, and Ionia counties before the start of the school year. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the campaign has reached 58% of its goal—but hundreds of classrooms are still waiting to be sponsored.
"Teachers invest so much of themselves in preparing for a new school year, and many also spend their own money on classroom supplies," said Annie Sanders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Central Michigan. "Classroom Champions Week is an opportunity for our entire community to come together and show our support for local educators and students. Every classroom sponsorship makes a meaningful difference."
As an added incentive, everyone who makes a gift of $75 or more during Classroom Champions Week will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Meijer gift card.
Throughout the week, United Way will recognize Classroom Champions on its social media channels, celebrating the businesses, organizations, families, and individuals helping classrooms across the region start the school year strong.
Sponsor a classroom or learn more by visiting www.unitedwaygcm.org/bus.
About Stuff the Bus
United Way's Stuff the Bus campaign began more than 20 years ago in Isabella County as a one-day school supply drive. Since then, it has grown into a regional initiative that now supports more than 1,000 elementary classrooms across Gratiot, Isabella, Montcalm, and Ionia counties through a teacher gift card model.
Preparing for a new school year takes more than backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and calculators. Teachers also need everyday classroom essentials like tissues, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, books, art supplies, and more to create a successful learning environment.
Stuff the Bus gives our community the opportunity to help students and teachers start the school year strong. United Way's goal is to partner with businesses, organizations, and individuals to sponsor every elementary classroom in the region. Through classroom sponsorships, teachers receive gift cards to purchase the specific supplies their students need most, ensuring every dollar makes a meaningful impact in their classrooms.