DENVER – Larry H. Miller Dealerships, in partnership with 9NEWS, collected more than $60,000 worth of supplies during the 14th Annual “Stuff for Students” drive. With the addition of the dealerships as partners in 2015, Volunteers of America was able to meet all supply requests, while in previous years some requests went unfilled. This year is the first year in the history of the drive that all requests were completely filled.
All seven Larry H. Miller dealerships statewide participated in the month-long project. Donation sites included Larry H. Miller Toyota in Boulder, Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota and Larry H. Miller Toyota in Colorado Springs, Larry H. Miller Volkswagen and Larry H. Miller Ford in Lakewood, Larry H. Miller Nissan in Highlands Ranch, and Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 104th in Thornton. The supplies donated by the dealerships resulted in more than 3,500 additional students receiving supplies in Denver/Boulder. More than 550 students were served in Colorado Springs, where supplies were distributed to Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, a middle school in Colorado Springs School District 11, and the Marian House, which assists local families by providing basic needs.
“We are grateful to our customers, employees and neighbors for their generosity in supporting Colorado’s students,” said Ray Reilly, senior vice president of operations, Larry H. Miller Dealerships. “Helping students to succeed by providing the tools they need for school and easing the financial impact families and teachers experience when faced with purchasing these necessary items, is a good way for us to give back to the communities in which we live and work.”
The donated items, including backpacks, pens and pencils, filler paper, folders and spiral notebooks, crayons and colored markers, glue sticks, scissors and rulers, were distributed by the Volunteers of America (VOA) to more than 15 Colorado school districts based on the percentage of free/reduced lunch students. Forty-two percent of Colorado students qualify for free or reduced price lunch and directly benefited from this drive.
“Volunteers of America is so happy to have partnered with Larry H Miller Dealerships in the 9News Stuff for Students campaign,” said Ms. Bradley Gulley, director of volunteer programs. “In addition to the supplies they collected at seven dealership locations, their donation of $5,000 towards the campaign truly helped so many. We were able to reach out to 15 school districts and help more than 3,500 children be prepared for school. Thank you Larry H Miller Dealerships for your strong support of this program.”
Volunteers of America works directly with the school districts to distribute the “Stuff for Students” supplies, including Adams 12, Adams 14, Adams 50 (Westminster), Aurora Public Schools, Boulder Valley & St. Vrain School Districts, Brighton Public Schools, Cherry Creek Public Schools, Denver Public Schools, Douglas County Schools, Elizabeth Public Schools, Englewood Public Schools, Jefferson Public Schools, Littleton Public Schools, and Sheridan Public Schools.
