Staff Report

Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital employees demonstrated their commitment to local students by donating nearly 1,500 school supply items to the United Way of South Central Tennessee’s annual Stuff the Bus initiative, helping ensure children in Tullahoma begin the school year prepared and confident.

For the past 15 years, United Way of South Central Tennessee’s Stuff the Bus campaign has provided thousands of local students with essential school supplies. The initiative works directly with the 10 school systems across its seven-county service area to ensure supplies reach students who need them most. By supporting early childhood education, the program helps lay the foundation for lifelong success, recognizing that educational opportunities can influence future income, health outcomes, and overall quality of life.

This year’s campaign brought out the creativity and teamwork of Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital departments, which participated in a friendly decorating competition by transforming boxes and other materials into imaginative school buses to collect donations.

The Critical Care Unit (CCU) earned top honors with a handcrafted bus featuring individually illustrated students and a bus driver, complete with working lights. The winning display was brought to life by Pam Reeves, whose artistic talent and dedication made the project a standout and reflected the hospital’s spirit of community service.

Each decorated bus, along with the collected school supplies, was delivered to Robert E. Lee Elementary School, Jack T. Farrar Elementary School, Bel-Aire Elementary School, and East Lincoln Elementary School. In total, supplies collected throughout the community were distributed to all eight Tullahoma City Schools, including the Tullahoma Virtual Academy.

“It was truly amazing to see our community join together to gather the needed school supplies to support our youth and teachers,” said Ashley Gibbs, Regional Director of United Way of South Central Tennessee. “I personally saw one of the elementary schools leave out backpacks and some supplies for families to pick up at their orientation. It was a full-circle moment to see children excitedly picking out their backpacks while giving parents a little relief. You truly never know everyone’s circumstances, and having one less expense can make a meaningful difference. Thank you to Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, along with the many businesses, churches, and individuals who gathered supplies and donated them to Stuff the Bus.”

The success of this year’s Stuff the Bus campaign reflects the power of community partnerships and the generosity of local organizations and volunteers. Through contributions like those from Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, students across the region will begin the new school year equipped with the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed.

About Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus is an annual initiative of the United Way of South Central Tennessee that provides school supplies to students throughout the region. Working with local school systems across seven counties, the program ensures essential classroom materials reach children with the greatest need, helping them start the school year ready to learn and thrive. Website: https://www.yourlocaluw.org/stuffthebus