Special to The Leader

BEAUMONT — Southeast Texas businesses, Gulf Credit Union; DuGood Federal Credit Union; Acme Brick, Tile and Stone; and Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists are collecting new, donated school supplies for foster children in the community.

“Lately, the news has been filled with so much sadness,” DuGood Federal Credit Union Senior Vice President Lisa Bione said. “Now, is the perfect time to step up and do something good. No student deserves to go without.”

Individuals are invited to participate and to bring new school supplies to donation drop-off sites located at each business’ regional locations.

“This is a really practical way to help children who are in foster care,” Buckner Assessment Center Supervisor Jessica Rhodes said. “It’s not something typically thought of, but these kids can’t go to the store and get what they need. By donating new school supplies at any one of the locations, communitywide, a person can really make sure these kids have what the need get the most out of their time in school.”

All donations will be collected and delivered to Buckner Children’s Village on Aug. 10.

Buckner has been serving vulnerable children and families in Southeast Texas since 1970. Last year Buckner served more than 2,660 individuals through community foster care, foster group homes at Buckner Children’s Village, the assessment center/ emergency shelter, adoption services, TRAIL (Transitioning to Responsible Adult Independent Living), STAR (Services to At Risk Youth), and the FYI Center: Fostering Youth Independence. Buckner is also home to more than 185 seniors at Calder Woods, a Buckner senior living community, which is the only community in Beaumont to provide a complete continuum of care.

Buckner International is a global, faith-based ministry dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children, families and elders in the United States and around the world. Founded in 1879 in Dallas, Texas, today Buckner serves people worldwide through a variety of programs designed to protect children and build strong families. These programs include foster care and adoption, family transition programs, community-based family preservation programs and retirement services for the elderly.