Bucs Stuff the Bus

Founders Week School Supply Drive

Leadership and Civic Engagement

Bucs Stuff the Bus: Join us in honoring our legacy through service

As part of our annual Founders Week, we invite you to take action and support the "Bucs Stuff the Bus" school supply drive. This initiative directly reflects ETSU’s mission to improve lives and enhance student success by providing essential school supplies to local students in need.

As part of our annual Founders Week, we invite you to take action and support the expanded “Bucs Stuff the Bus” school supply drive. This year, in response to the impact of Hurricane Helene, we are extending our efforts to include Johnson, Unicoi and Greene County schools, in addition to our existing partners. This initiative reflects ETSU’s mission to improve lives and enhance student success by providing essential school supplies to students and schools recovering from this disaster.

By participating, you’re helping us fulfill our commitment to community service and educational excellence. Your contribution empowers young learners to thrive, honors ETSU’s legacy rooted in our founding as a teachers college, and strengthens our region. Let’s come together, fill the bus, and ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed!

Join us in making a lasting impact—your support is more important than ever!

How to Participate:


Sign Up:

Departments and student organizations will fill out a brief registration form.  Once registered, you’ll receive a collection box to gather supplies.

Receive Your Box:

We’ll deliver your collection box to the office you designate on the form OR you can pick one up at the Carreir Center on the 2nd floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center. 


Fill the Box:

The box will include a list of needed items, making it easy for your group to contribute. Collect school supplies for local students. You can reference the wish list to guide your donations. Every item helps make a difference!


Box Pick-Up:

We will pick up your filled box on Friday, October 11. No need to worry about transportation—we’ve got it covered!


Drop-Off Option:

Prefer to drop off items yourself? There will also be a central collection point at the Information Station on the 1st Floor in the D.P. Culp Student Center from September 16 to October 11. Look for the bus and signage.

Final Step: Stuff the Bus!

Bring any items to the football tailgate on October 12 and support the Bucs as they take on Samford!!

Register to Participate!

Stuff the Bus Overall Wishlist

The primary purpose of this drive is to raise school supplies, however we are expanding to include non-perishable food and water, or other standard items requested by the many goods drives going on throughout our region. We are committed to making sure we get all things to people in need.

Crayons and Markers

  • Crayola Crayons (24-packs, bulk packs)
  • Crayola Fine Line and Ultra Clean Washable Markers
  • Mr. Sketch Scented Markers (36-pack)
  • EXPO Dry Erase Markers (fine and chisel tip, assorted colors)

Paper Products

  • Composition Notebooks (wide and college ruled)
  • Loose-Leaf Filler Paper (college and wide-ruled)
  • Astrobrights Colored Paper and Cardstock
  • Copy Printer Paper (Amazon Basics, 5000 sheets)

Organizational Supplies

  • 3-Ring Binders (various sizes, clear view, packs of 12)
  • File Folders (Amazon Basics, letter size, 100-pack)
  • Sheet Protectors (Amazon Basics, 100-pack)
  • Hanging File Folders (Amazon Basics, 25-pack)

Classroom Essentials

  • Sharpie Flip Chart Markers (assorted colors)
  • Disinfecting Wipes and Hand Sanitizer (Amazon Basics)
  • Kleenex Facial Tissues
  • Paper Towels (Amazon Basics)
  • Electric Pencil Sharpeners
  • Dry Erase Boards and Erasers (lapboards with grid lines, classroom sets)

Classroom Technology and Accessories

  • Texas Instruments Scientific Calculators (TI-30Xa)
  • Flash Drives (bulk packs, 2GB)
  • Surge Protector Power Strips (with USB ports)

Arts & Crafts Supplies

  • Crayola Modeling Clay
  • Wood Slices for Crafts (pre-drilled for ornaments)
  •  Button Maker Machine (with button parts)

Schools We Are Serving


 

Hawkins County Schools

Hawkins County Schools are located in a mostly rural community in the upper eastern portion of Tennessee. The county encompasses 570 square miles and is one of the largest counties in Tennessee. 

The district is home to 16 schools from Pre-K through 12th grade and serves over 6,100 students. The district currently employees approximately 550 teachers. 38% of our students are considered economically disadvantaged and 13 schools are Title I schools.  

All our educators have exhibited their dedication to the students and Hawkins County and can be seen working after school and on the weekends preparing engaging and rigorous lessons for students. It is the goal of Hawkins County Schools to provide not only an education and assist students in reaching their full potential, but to prepare them for life beyond the four walls of their classrooms. 

Soddy Elementary School

Soddy Elementary School is located in the northern, rural area of Hamilton County. Within Hamilton County, there are 41 elementary schools serving grades kindergarten through 5th grade. 

Their school serves 437 students and 23% of those students are economically disadvantaged. While they are not considered a Title I school, they do have many students with great needs. Also within that population of students, 22% of their students are exceptional education students. They house a Developmental Learning Pre-K Program as well as a Developmental Communication Classroom.  

All their teachers and staff are highly dedicated and work many extra hours to provide a respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environment for their students. The vision of their school is that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. A big part of how they do this is to provide for their students academically, socially and emotionally, as well as provide for physical needs when necessary. 

Carter County Schools

The Carter County School system consists of 13 schools serving one of the most rural areas of Northeast Tennessee. Located in the mountains bordering North Carolina, our system serves approximately 4,600, 21% of whom live in poverty (countyhealthrankings.org). Based on free and reduced lunch eligibility, approximately 50% of our students are considered economically disadvantaged. On a national and state level, high rates of poverty, drug abuse, and behavior issues are on the increase and our students are no exception. We appreciate the support of our community partners in assisting our students and families as they face these barriers to success.

Sevier County Schools

The Sevier County School System is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in East Tennessee. The county encompasses 592 square miles in land area and has a population of over 98,000 residents. The Sevier County School System is the 10th largest school system in the state. The district is home to 32 schools from Pre-K through 12th grade and serves over 14,000 students. The district currently employees approximately 1,400 teachers. Eighteen of our schools are designated as Title I and meet the threshold as economically disadvantaged.

Greene County Schools

The Greene County School System provides quality educational experiences and extra-curricular activities to approximately 6,500 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Basic education and the majority of the special education services are delivered through seven elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. Additional programs located at the Glenwood Educational Center include an alternative school, ROTC, the Early Learning Program (ELP), Bridges to Success, and B.E.S.T. The success of these programs is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the approximately 560 certified and 314 classified personnel employed by the system.

Unicoi County Schools

Unicoi County Schools are dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for postsecondary education and careers. Guided by the mission of "Investing in Students…Building Our Future," the district emphasizes high-level learning through effective instruction and evidence-based practices. With a focus on student-centered decisions and collaborative partnerships with families and the community, Unicoi County Schools aim to develop confident, goal-oriented learners.

Unicoi County Schools prioritize professional development, effective literacy and math instruction, and college/career readiness programs to prepare students for future success, fostering lifelong learners who will positively impact the region.

Johnson County Schools

Johnson County Schools are dedicated to achieving the highest levels of teaching and learning. Guided by a commitment to collaborative culture, quality instruction, resource utilization, and leadership for change, the district ensures that all students receive a high-quality education.

Teachers set high expectations and create positive, engaging learning environments, while collaboration across grade levels and active parent partnerships support student success. The district prioritizes research-based resources, technology integration, and ongoing professional development. Johnson County Schools also promotes strong leadership, focusing on developing teacher leaders and maintaining clear communication for effective instruction and student achievement.

ETSU cannot take monetary contributions for the Bucs Stuff the Bus drive, but the following schools have provided wish lists in case contributors would like to purchase and send items directly to these schools. Please note: gifts of items to teacher classrooms do not represent tax deductible gifts to East Tennessee State University.

Bulls Gap School
Church Hill Elementary School
Church Hill Middle School
Carter’s Valley Elementary School
Cherokee High School
Clinch School
Hawkins Elementary School
Mooresburg Elementary School
St. Clair Elementary School
Surgoinsville Elementary School
Surgoinsville Middle School
Volunteer High School