08/19/2026
Stuff the Bus ~ a Huge Success!!!
On behalf of Craven County Partners In Education, thank you for making our Stuff the Bus campaign an incredible success! Our goal was to collect 200 boxes of school supplies, and we exceeded that goal by collecting 202 boxes. These donations will provide thousands of supplies directly to our schools to distribute to students in need ~ and the generosity of our community continues, with additional supplies still coming in.
A special thank you goes to our Title Sponsors, B/S/H/ Home Appliances and Staples. Thank you Staples for allowing us to stage our event in your parking lot, for keeping us hydrated, and for your generous support. We loved the swag items and the raffle drawing. We also thank our many sponsors-many of whom also served as advance drop-off locations-for making this campaign such a tremendous success! When you are a sponsor, you are a partner, and we are grateful for your partnership.
We also extend gratitude to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes:
Our PIE Board and Executive Committee
PIE Ambassadors
Board of Education Members
Our leaders at the event, and our wonderful bus driver
CCS Operational Support Team
Our D.A.R.E. Officers
Dr. Alexis McKeel and her husband for bringing the tables and
chairs
Rowland Bowen and the Home Sales Team for the creative bus
cutouts for photo ops
Paul Schernitzki for the photography
Kim Scott for the Facebook Live footage and postings
Ray and Doug Savage with Savage's Wood Burning Pizzeria for
delicious pizza for our volunteers
Joe Brown for providing the "Music for the People"
Taco Bell and Zaxby's of New Bern for the gift coupons
Hailey Cuba for bringing the Teacher of the Year Toyota Camry to
the event
CharBurger food truck for being there with us
And of course, a huge thank you to the over 100 volunteers who cheered, shopped, received donations, sorted, distributed, and stuffed the bus with supplies. This campaign could not be done without you! It truly takes a village, and if I have overlooked anyone, please forgive me-you are all deeply appreciated.
The purpose of Stuff the Bus is simple yet powerful: to provide students in need with the school supplies required for success. These supplies are distributed directly by principals and counselors, ensuring they reach the students who need them most.
Investing in Partners In Education is an investment in our workforce, our community, and our future.
Together, we are partners-and together, we make a difference.
