In a collaborative effort to support students in need, the Western School Division and Garden Valley School Division are joining forces for a significant back-to-school supply drive. This event, held in partnership with Decor Cabinets, will take place at Walmart in Winkler on September 18th and 19th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with Eagle 93.5FM, Country88 and CFAM Radio 950 broadcasting on location both days.
Learn more about the Decor Cabinet Company Back to School Supply Drive, here.
Both school divisions recognize the critical need to provide essential supplies to students who might otherwise go without. The drive aims to ensure that all students start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
Western School Division’s Initiative
Stephen Ross, Superintendent of Western School Division, highlighted the importance of the drive and the generous support from Decor Cabinets. “We are excited to collaborate with Decor Cabinets, who have generously agreed to match up to $2,000 in donations,” Ross said. “This means that if we raise $2,000, we'll be able to provide $4,000 worth of supplies to our students.”
The drive aims to address disparities in access to school supplies. “We want to create a level playing field for all students. Not every family can afford the same supplies, and this initiative helps ensure that all students start the school year on an equal footing,” Ross explained. He also emphasized the Western School Division’s ‘Cost to Parents’ program, which was established in 2015 to reduce financial strain by setting a fixed fee for supplies and minimizing additional costs throughout the year.
“The goal is to ensure every child can participate fully in school life, regardless of their financial situation,” Ross added. The funds raised will support not just initial supplies but also various needs throughout the school year, including field trips and extracurricular activities.
Garden Valley School Division’s Efforts
Dan Ward, Superintendent of Garden Valley School Division, expressed his enthusiasm for the drive and the collaborative effort. “It’s great to be here and talk about something as important as school supplies,” Ward said. “The drive has been a collaborative effort, with a lot of behind-the-scenes work done by the radio station and our sponsors.”
Ward discussed the need for supplies, which is identified through teachers, administrators, and parents. “We use various methods to identify students in need, and we handle the distribution discreetly to ensure no student feels stigmatized,” he noted. “Currently, about 170 students across our division receive some form of support, and this drive will significantly help with that.”
Garden Valley’s approach includes both monetary donations and physical supplies. “We welcome both types of donations. Monetary contributions allow us to purchase specific items as needed, while physical supplies like paper, binders, and pens are always in demand,” Ward explained. “School supplies are needed throughout the year, not just at the start of school.”
Community Participation
Community members are encouraged to participate in the drive by visiting Walmart in Winkler on September 18th and 19th. Contributions can be made in the form of physical supplies or monetary donations, which will be used to support students across both school divisions.
Ross and Ward both emphasized the impact of community support. “Every donation, big or small, makes a difference,” Ross said. “With Decor Cabinets matching donations, your support can go even further.” Ward added, “Any support helps, and it contributes to students’ well-being and their sense of belonging, which ultimately helps them succeed.”
With files from Ty Hildebrand and Jayme Giesbrecht.