The Sunshine Bus visits kindergartners
Team Sunshine volunteer Donna Vollnogle places the book selected by Luck Vranesevish, 5 into his bag so he is ready to move on to select a Brightside Buddy (stuffed animal). Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
-
- Team Sunshine volunteer Donna Vollnogle places the book selected by Luck Vranesevish, 5 into his bag so he is ready to move on to select a Brightside Buddy (stuffed animal). Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
-
- Kaizlee Lilly, 5 with help from a Team Sunshine volunteer, selects a toothbrush from the hygiene products available. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
-
- East Liverpool kindergartners line up outside the Brightside Project’s The Sunshine Bus waiting to board the bus to pick out hygiene products, books, food and a stuffed animal. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Prior to boarding The Sunshine Bus students got the opportunity to pick what color bag they wanted to use for their items.
Once boarded on the Sunshine Bus, students were greeted by volunteers known as Team Sunshine who worked one-on-one with the children.
The kindergartners selected a book, a stuffed animal referred to as Brightside Buddy, a hygiene product, four snacks and one option from a selection of Chef Boyardee pasta, ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese.
The students enjoyed making selections for themselves.
Kaizlee Lilly, 5 with help from a Team Sunshine volunteer, selects a toothbrush from the hygiene products available. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Bright Side Project co-founder and Director Scott Lewis said the project was not just about seeing that children have food but also letting children make choices.
The Sunshine Bus will make its way to all the schools in the East Liverpool City Schools District, giving all of the district’s 1,900 students an opportunity to select food and supplies.
The Brightside Project, a non-profit organization funded primarily by donations, has had The Sunshine Bus at other area schools. Bbut this is the first time the bus has provided for an entire district, Lewis said.
The cost to provide all the students in the district with $20 worth of food and hygiene products is $38,000 and is done at no cost to the district. The funding came from donations made to the Brightside Project.
The Sunshine Bus will be at East Liverpool Junior High on Oct. 14; at Westgate Middle School on Oct. 21; LaCroft Elementary on Oct. 29 and East Liverpool High School on Nov. 4 and 5.
East Liverpool kindergartners line up outside the Brightside Project’s The Sunshine Bus waiting to board the bus to pick out hygiene products, books, food and a stuffed animal. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
The Brightside Project’s motto is equipping and empowering children is based in Salem. Other programs for children include Backpacks for Kids, Bright Christmas, Bright Easter, Coats for Kids, Crisis Relief, Food for Kids, Imagination Library, Sunny Sunshine and Youth Summit.
For additional information on the Brightside Project or to make a donation, contact 234-320-4005 or visit www.brightsideprojectohio.org.