Mission of Hope ready for ‘Tax Free Weekend’

While parents and their children rush out to purchase school supplies and other necessary items free of sales tax during “Tax Free Weekend” this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 27-29, a regional charitable organization is looking to provide the same materials for students who might otherwise go without.

Mission of Hope, which aids rural Appalachian students and their families throughout the year in a variety of ways, is hosting its Fifth Annual “Mission Pack the Bus” in front of Office Max, 11012 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., all three days. “It is a great opportunity to take the kids shopping and get something for Mission of Hope, so their children will see the importance of giving,” said Emmette Thompson, the organization’s executive director.

Items sought for distribution include pencils and pens, markers, crayons and paper.

Kiley Niles, director of marketing for Turkey Creek shopping center, has worked with Mission Pack the Bus from the very beginning and said the event renders “an absolutely tremendous response.”

She shared that last year, the bus was overflowing — and extra supplies had to be transported by individuals.

Keeping that in mind, a larger bus has been provided free of charge by The Little Bus Company to collect this year’s donations, Niles said.

“As the mother of four who is fortunate to be able to purchase school supplies, I can only imagine how hard it is for the kids, and their parents, who can’t afford them,” she added. “And, I also know how excited my kids get about getting school supplies, and it’s nice knowing that other children will have that same opportunity.”

Donors will receive certificates for a free pizza from Blaze Pizza and free yogurt from Menchie’s.

(Details about Tax-Free Weekend in Back to School on page 3C)