Bristol Tennessee City Schools is joining other Northeast Tennessee districts to support area school districts with the greatest need following the devastation from Hurricane Helene. BTCS has been matched with Johnson County Schools and has been supporting their ongoing recovery efforts through numerous donations of relief supplies.
As their school district welcomes students back to the classroom, we are shifting our collection efforts for Johnson County Schools. We will now be asking for school supply donations for students who lost their belongings in the flood. This is an important way we can help students feel prepared and confident as they return to school for the first time since late September. There is a list of suggested items below. We will also include a school supply collection component in our upcoming employee United Way campaign.
Director of Schools Dr. Mischelle Simcox estimates that approximately 80% of their students and staff in Johnson County were impacted by the disaster. During the past few weeks, they have focused their efforts on ensuring those who do not have electricity, water, food, and other resources were cared for. They are so appreciative and feel incredibly blessed by the outpouring of love and support! “Every day gets a little better,” Dr. Simcox said. This latest effort will help them continue in their healing journey!
As school supply items are collected within BTCS, the district will deliver them directly to Johnson County Schools, who will distribute them to students in need.
Suggested School Supply Donations for Johnson County Schools
Bookbags
Notebook paper (college- and wide-ruled)
Single-subject spiral notebooks (college- and wide-ruled)
Multi-subject spiral notebooks (college- and wide-ruled)
Stitched composition notebooks
Crayons
Colored markers
Colored pencils
No. 2 pencils
Binders
Pencil pouches
Dividers
Scissors
Black pens
Blue pens
Glue sticks
Highlighters
Earbuds
Headphones
Bar and cap erasers
Plastic pocket folders
Rulers
Pencil sharpeners
DONATE MONEY: If you prefer to make a monetary donation, the school districts in Northeast Tennessee have partnered with the East Tennessee Foundation to manage all donations intended for school districts and their students, families, and staff. The fund was established to ensure that 100% of the donations will go to Hurricane Relief efforts in the affected areas.
Northeast TN School Districts Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
VOLUNTEER: Looking to help with disaster relief? You can sign-up through United Way's Volunteer United to help in Unicoi, Washington, Carter, Johnson and Greene counties.