Supplies for Success: Partnering Together for Back-To-School
It's that time of year again! Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and BE A Resource (BEAR) Houston are partnering again to give back and support at-risk and CPS-involved children as they head back to school. From August 1 to August 15, 2024, blood donors can make a difference in our community by donating essential school supplies at any of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center's Neighborhood Donor Centers.
Each fall, BEAR's Back to School program supports over 13,000 children, providing them with the confidence, normalcy, and essential school supplies needed to start the school year on a positive note.
"We are so thankful for the continued partnership with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center during our BEAR Back to School program," said Tammy Hetmaniak, Executive Director of BEAR Houston. "Our program helps to ensure that at-risk and CPS-involved children have the resources they need to begin school each fall."
This collaboration aims to ensure that every child has the necessary support to succeed in the upcoming school year. By dropping off new school supplies at a BEAR Back to School donation bin, donors can directly contribute to the well-being and educational success of children in need.
"Many families do not have the financial capacity to purchase items needed for school, leading to children being unprepared to succeed in class. In 2023, we served over 13,000 children, and with recent natural disasters in our area, we an increase, and we could not do it without community partners like Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center," said Hetmaniak.
How our community can participate:
1. Visit any of our 18 Neighborhood Donor Centers and drop off new school supplies in the BEAR Back to School donation bins.
2. Shop BEAR Houston's Amazon list and send school supplies directly to BEAR Houston.
3. Blood donors can easily donate Donor Rewards points to BEAR Houston through their Digital Donor account.
For those feeling healthy, we also encourage our community to schedule an appointment to donate blood. The process is quick and easy and can be done at any of our donor centers and mobile blood drives in the Greater Houston, Brazos Valley, and East Texas Areas. Your donation will help ensure a stable blood supply for those in need.
Together, let's make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community. For more information about the campaign and how you can contribute, please visit giveblood.org/backtoschool.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a nonprofit organization and is accredited by the Food and Drug Administration.
BEAR is the only 501(c)(3) organization working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults that offers unique programs – that provide not only the basic needs of children recently uprooted, but also supportive services that provide comfort, dignity, and celebration of successes that propel the child toward a successful future – for abused and neglected children.