Stuff the Bus 2025: 3,388 Students Ready for School!

United Way of Lake County’s annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive provides students in Lake County, Illinois with backpacks full of new school supplies—helping them prepare for their studies, building their self-esteem, and setting them up for success.

Here’s what we accomplished together in our seventh annual drive:

    3,388 backpacks filled with supplies distributed to students across Lake County.

    900 teacher kits with essential classroom tools went to dedicated educators preparing for the new school year.

    In total, the supplies distributed were valued at more than $240,000, a remarkable investment in Lake County students and teachers.

For many families, back-to-school season brings financial strain. Our goal was simple: remove that barrier so students can start the year equipped, confident, and ready to learn. For teachers—who often spend their own money on classroom supplies—we wanted to show our appreciation by providing the tools they need to succeed.

Whether you gave your time, donated resources, or helped spread the word, you made a meaningful difference. Because of you, thousands of students walked into classrooms ready to learn and teachers felt the support of their community. Together, we’re building a stronger, brighter future.

A special thank you to the many organizations that contributed supplies and volunteered their time to make Stuff the Bus such a success:

  • A.L. Hansen
  • Abbott Laboratories
  • AbbVie
  • Aldridge Group
  • Ally Financial
  • Amcor
  • American Place Casino
  • Annunciation of our Lady – Episcopal Church, Gurnee
  • Bethel Lutheran Church, Gurnee
  • Children of America Educational Childcare
  • College of Lake County, Lakeshore Campus
  • Community Christian Church
  • City of Hope
  • CompX
  • Consumers Credit Union
  • CVS Health
  • Deer Park Town Center
  • Ela Crafters
  • Fischer Paper
  • Gateway Foundation
  • Great Lakes Credit Union
  • Great Wolf Lodge
  • Gurnee Mills, Simon Property Group
  • Gurnee Park District
  • Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs
  • Jabil
  • Kubota Engine America
  • LaGrippe Research
  • Lake County Circuit Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein
  • Lake County Department of Transportation
  • Lake County Government
  • Lake County Treasurer's Office
  • Lakeshore Harley-Davidson
  • Leaders United of Lake County
  • Macy's
  • Medline
  • Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Nemera
  • Noote Partners X Compass Real Estate
  • North Shore Gas
  • Northwestern Medicine
  • Novelis
  • Old National Bank
  • P&G
  • Peter Baker and Son Co
  • Pfizer
  • Plexus
  • Pharma Logistics
  • Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp
  • Rosalind Franklin University
  • Rush University, Speech Pathology Students
  • Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
  • Senator Mary Edly-Allen
  • Shining Abilities Adult Vocational Program
  • Shoe Carnival, Gurnee
  • SKF USA
  • Snap-on Credit
  • SperoMD
  • Stellar Results Realty
  • Target
  • Trustmark
  • UCC Environmental
  • Wildwood Presbyterian Church
  • Women United of Lake County
  • Woodland Foods
  • Würth Baer Supply Company
  • WWM Fitness
  • ZF Industries

 

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