REV/REV Business is making connections in their local community though more than just the wires – continuing their efforts to support under-resourced school children by partnering with a local nonprofit, Volunteer Ascension.

Each year, REV sponsors the School Tools Drive which works with 28 local public schools collecting school supplies, uniforms and other classroom necessities. This Ascension Parish Louisiana business marked its 25^th anniversary of giving last year and, together with the community, they have raised $1.4 million in school supplies – all collected and purchased through donations.

Through this initiative, both corporate and community partners are challenged to donate new, unused school supplies for the parish’s upcoming school year; helping students and families who may not be able to purchase the necessary supplies due to limitations. 

Spurred on by REV, there are numerous other business partners who also host internal drives and collect in-house while a multitude of community organizations conduct friendly competitions between branches to encourage participation and increase donations. The items collected by each business are then dropped off at the donation site where volunteers from REV and other local organizations load and unload oodles of classroom materials set for distribution. During drop-off, donors are invited to pose for a photo op in front of an Ascension Parish Schools’ bus – an added delight for the civic-minded and the child at heart. Similarly, a drive-through/drop-off stays in place for anyone in the community wanting to personally donate back-to-school necessities.

Other options for contributions (of all sizes) include an Amazon Wish List and/or monetary donations that may be made online at www.mightycause.com/story/schooltools.

After the “Corporate Challenge” day has come and gone, the magic continues with an array of volunteers that come together through Volunteer Ascension and REV. The following days are all about organization, shopping, and division of tasks prior to contacting each school for distribution.

Contributions are collected, counted, and divided as equally between the primary and secondary schools in the area. Counting every box of crayons, markers and sleeve of construction paper can be a bit time-consuming, but it’s a task that the crew does not take lightly as it needs to be tallied correctly to help children all around the parish. 

“We’ll be sending all of the supplies to the Ascension Parish Schools kindergarten through eighth grade,” explained Sherry Denig, executive director of Volunteer Ascension. “With our ability to work closely with the guidance counselors, we know that what we send is going to the children that need it most.”

Distribution day is the day it all comes together and finalizes as each local school sends a guidance counselor or school representative to pick up the supplies to provide to the children and their teachers. Boxes are overloaded with paper, pencils and even an array of bookbags to go to those that need them most of all. 

“REV continues to be a true partner in Ascension Parish,” said David Alexander, Ascension Public Schools’ Superintendent. “Whether through the School Tools, grants for our educators — filming and livestreaming some of our schools’ most memorable events such as graduation and high school sports, it means so much that local businesses like REV continue to support our schools in meaningful ways.” 

“The participation comes through the company’s employee-directed REV Cares initiative to give back to local communities,” according to Monika Arnold, REV Community Relations and Business Development manager. Also serving as the current president of the board for Volunteer Ascension, she states, “Giving back to the community is everything, especially in Ascension Parish where we’re Ascension strong. Kids need school supplies, and some parents just can’t afford everything on the school supply list, so this event is a way for everyone in the community to come together and help give the kids the school tools they need to learn and grow into the society we need in the future.”

The School Tools event is cherished by all in the community and continues to prove that the connection is what matters; whether it be the connection from the heart or the connection from the fiber line, it’s what makes us all come together. 

Through events like School Tools, REV/REV Business continues to bring to life their mission statement: “Connecting Communities… Even Beyond Wires.”