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From United Way of Central Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In preparation for the upcoming school year, United Way Hands On, the volunteer center for United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), is seeking donations of backpacks and school supplies as part of a Back-to-School Backpack Drive, which runs from July 8th to 26th.

UWCA is welcoming donations on-site at its office in Jefferson County, while United Way partner agencies and community organizations will serve as collection points in each of the five other counties served by UWCA. Central Alabama residents also have the option of donating by purchasing items from an Amazon Wishlist or by making a financial contribution through a pledge page on UWCA’s website (uwca.org).

By county, the physical drop-off locations are:

• Blount – Blount County Chamber of Commerce, 110 1st Ave. E in Oneonta.
• Chilton – YMCA of Chilton County, 405 Ollie Ave. in Clanton.
• Jefferson – UWCA Campus – Alice Williams Building, 3620 8th Ave. S in Birmingham.
• Shelby – Shelby Emergency Assistance, 160 Shoshone Dr. in Montevallo.
• St. Clair – St. Clair County DHR, 213 Fox Hollow Blvd. in Pell City.
• Walker – Chamber of Commerce of Walker County, 204 19th St. E, Ste. 101 in Jasper.

The Back-to-School Backpack Drive is part of a larger back-to-school effort that will also include back-to-school beautification volunteer service days. Volunteers will play a vital role in preparing school campuses, including exterior and interior work requested by the school. This year, service days will focus on Fairfield City Schools, adding to the collaborative work being done through the Community Schools strategy launched in Fairfield last year.

Rachael Upton, Director of United Way Hands On, said, “Every year, there is great need among parents who are asked to buy all sorts of supplies before their children resume school. In 2024, we are happy to not only grow our volunteer efforts to ensure students are ready before they walk back into their classrooms in August but also to support our continued relationship with Fairfield City Schools.”

To view the Amazon Wishlist, donate funds for the Backpack Drive or sign up for a back-to-school beautification service day, visit uwca.org/backtoschool.

For more information about UWCA’s work in Early Childhood Development and Education, visit uwca.org/impact/early-childhood.

About United Way Hands On

As the volunteer center for United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), United Way Hands On works with UWCA partner agencies and other organizations to provide diverse and flexible opportunities for people to make a difference in their community. To volunteer as an individual or as part of a company or team, visit www.unitedwayhandson.org.

About United Way of Central Alabama

United Way of Central Alabama serves Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties. Through our many partner agencies, community initiatives and strategic planning, we change lives and improve community conditions by providing programs and services that address people’s most critical needs, including early childhood development and education, hunger relief, mental health support and more. For more information, visit www.uwca.org.