Whitley County Consolidated Schools Superintendent Laura McDermott (right) receives Big Give bags from Ashley Gallaway from Columbia City Mill Service. Photo provided by United Way.

Press Release

WARSAW — United Way of Whitley and Kosciusko Counties’ Big Give delivered more than 2,500 bags of school supplies on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Driven by more than 50 companies, churches and individuals, the United Way initiative will produce 100+ bags of school supplies to all 20 elementary schools in the region. United Way is committed to making sure every student begins school ready to succeed.

“The Big Give is one of my favorite back to school events,” said Aimee Lunsford, principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw. “I love that the United Way works so hard to level the playing field for all of our students right out of the gate, providing school supplies for any student that is in need.”

The project enables volunteers to make a personal connection with a child. Through a grant from the Zimmer Biomet Foundation, United Way was able to secure 2,500 drawstring bags. Each bag was tagged with a supply list for a grade level. Volunteers get a chance to pick just the right items to fill the bag, often putting in more supplies in than are required. The bags are then delivered directly to the schools.

“United Way made a choice with Big Give to trust our school partners,” said Darren Bickel, United Way president. “Schools know their families. the bags are put in the hands of principals, teachers and guidance counselors — the wisest people I know when it comes to meeting the needs of students.”

Each school will distribute the bags in their own fashion, making sure no child has the awkward moment of being unprepared for their first day of school. Big Give began in 2018 and has collected thousands of items for children across the region.