Superior Bank Gathers "Tools for Success"

Though needy children receive free public education, they often can't afford the school supplies many of their fellow students take for granted.

To help level the playing field, Superior Bank branches in Northwest Florida have launched the "Tools for Schools" campaign, which places needed supplies in the hands of disadvantaged school children.

Superior Bank's Port St. Joe branch has partnered with the Gulf County school district to identify specific needs in the county - from rest mats to backpacks, Kleenex and highlighters.

The bank has compiled a list of needed supplies (see sidebar) to distribute to its customers, and will accept donations year round.

A receptacle, currently being decorated by Port St. Joe Elementary School art students, will be conveniently placed in the bank lobby.

In the two weeks since launching the "Tools for Success" campaign, Superior Bank has collected over a thousand items, with an estimated value of $1,081.54.

"We got off to a great start. We'd like to thank everyone in this community who donated," said Superior Bank assistant vice president Sam Tyus.

Tyus noted that the year-round supply donations will be a boon to teachers as well, who may be struggling to equip their rooms, given recent budget cuts and a lagging economy.

Gulf County Schools Superintendent Tim Wilder, recently re-elected for a second term, thanked Tyus and his staff for their generosity.

"We appreciate our relationship with Superior Bank and their willingness to help the children of Gulf County," he said.

Gulf County Schools request the following items:

Backpacks (no rolling backpacks)

Crayola crayons (8- and 24-count)

Crayola markers

Colored pencils

Composition books (wide-ruled)

Divider tabs

Germ-X

Glue (Elmer's School)

Glue sticks

Highlighters

Kleenex

Notebook paper (regular- and wide-ruled, loose leaf)

Notebooks (wide-ruled, single subject spiral)

Pencils (jumbo and No. 2 with erasers)

Pens (blue, black or red)

Pocket folders

Rest mats

Scientific calculators (TI-30 XA)

Scissors (Fiskars blunt and regular tip)

Ziploc bags (quart or gallon)

3-ring binders (2" rings)

3-ring notebooks with subject dividers

Items may be dropped off at Superior Bank, located at 418 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456.

For more information, call Sam Tyus at (850) 227-1416.

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