The Hutchinson Fire Department raised $63,233 in three days for their annual back-to-school supply drive. Deliveries were made Thursday and Friday and the HFD thanked the citizens of Hutchinson and the surrounding area for coming out and supporting them.
School supplies packed in boxes and then on pallets along with cases of water were loaded onto trailers and delivered to schools in Reno County. Thursday’s deliveries went to all the schools in the Hutchinson district, Trinity Catholic School and Holy Cross Elementary School, Central Christian School, Plum Creek and Union Valley Elementary Schools and Prairie Hills Middle School. On Friday, the department delivered supplies to Buhler, Nickerson, South Hutchinson, Pretty Prairie, Haven, Yoder and Fairfield.
Teachers and staff at Wiley Elementary School were excited when the boxes arrived. The staff came out of a meeting and some applauded as the firefighters brought in supplies. Then they took a group photo with the firefighters.
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Each school received the same, about $2,300 worth of school supplies, said Chief Steven Beer.
“The Hutchinson Fire Department has always been a big supporter for us,” said Mike Self, principal at Hutchinson Middle School-8. “Community partnerships like this are paramount to our success as a school and we absolutely couldn’t do what we do without that relationship. We are so incredibly grateful for all they do.”
There were dozens of volunteer hours spent by off-duty firefighters, their families, friends, and area teachers.
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“We are overwhelmed by the response from our community,” said Fire Marshal Mike Cain. “This is one thing that the HFD can do to give back to our community.”
Nancy Pina, receptionist for the Head Start Program at The Hutcherson Center, said that they are very appreciative of the extra supplies the fire department brings to them each year. “Everything we get is loved and used,” said Nancy Pina. “We can never have enough tissues for our three-, four- and five-year-olds.”
