Drive to gather school supplies

By Sean Barron

BOARDMAN — Stephen Hanzely occasionally visits the YMCA to get in a few games of pingpong and, when the situation arises, give something back to those in need.

Such was the case Saturday, when he saw a yellow school bus that was to drop off donations in front of the building.

“I know how hard it is to raise money for charitable agencies, so I do what I can,” Hanzely said after making a monetary contribution as part of United Way’s first “Stuff the Bus” event at the YMCA, 45 McClurg Road. “I know this goes for a good purpose and is a good investment.”

Hanzely, a retired Youngstown State University astronomy professor, knows firsthand the value of raising funds for charitable causes. He also writes grants as a member of the resource development committee of Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County.

Officials with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley were on hand during the three-hour kickoff event to accept money as well as donations of school supplies such as book bags, pencils, rulers, binders, folders, highlighters, glue sticks, notebooks, pens, pencils and crayons.

The items are to be placed in book bags as part of the agency’s annual Day of Caring, set for Sept. 11. Afterward, the supplies will be distributed to children in need who are assisted by United Way-funded organizations.

Also happy to help were Guy Perry and his 7-year-old daughter, Julia, both members of the Y.

“It feels good,” Julia said, after dropping $2 into a donations container.

Perry, an employee of RTI International Metals Inc. of Niles, said the United Way agency came to his aid when his company, formerly RMI Titanium, was on strike. So he’s more than happy to give something back to the agency for that reason, as well as to help area youngsters in need.

“Anytime I see the United Way, I try to help,” Perry said, adding that such generosity also sets a good example for his daughter.

Saturday’s event was the start of a monthlong effort by the United Way to collect school-related merchandise.

Money collected will go largely toward book bags, one of the most-needed items, noted Bob Hannon, United Way president.

“A lot of students start the school year off and don’t even have a book bag,” added Tara Mady, UW’s director of marketing.

Mady noted that her agency will have five drop-off sites that people can use until month’s end, two of which are at the Southern Park Mall.

The other three will be set up at Knoll Run Golf Course, off state Route 616 in Coitsville; the Jewish Community Center on Youngstown’s North Side; and the United Way office, 255 Watt St., Youngstown.

For more information, call Mady at (330) 746-8494, or go to www.ymvunitedway.org.