August 21, 2025
We asked you to help us Stuff The Bus for Steele County schools and you delivered! We estimate that approximately 12,000 supplies were donated for this year's drive. Easily more than double the number received last year - which was our first run and it was an abbreviated run only going two weeks. This year we started July 1 and ran the drive in to August and we saw even more spectacular results.
We extend immense gratitude to each of the following partners for generously hosting supply drop-offs: Blooming Prairie Public Library, Bremer Bank, First State Bank of Red Wing — Medford, HomeTown Credit Union, Keen Bank, Owatonna Public Utilities, and Target. Special acknowledgments go to the Owatonna Bus Company for providing the bus that helped facilitate collection logistics and to Steele County Toys for Tots for loaning the donation drop boxes.
I also want to thank Bruce and Sue Paulson, Steve and Lori Underdahl, Ray and Helen Stawarz, and Joyce Nentl for monetary donations — as well as acknowledge Steele County workplaces that conducted internal supply drives and contributed to Stuff the Bus: Bremer Bank, Cedar Valley Services/SMART Transit, Dollar Tree, HomeTown Credit Union, Jostens, Keen Bank, Life Fitness, and Profinium Bank. As well as service groups from Exchange Club of Medford, MN, Moonlighters Exchange Club, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Your contributions signify far more than school supplies; they represent encouragement and an investment in the future of our children.
Thank you for stuffing that bus — and lifting up our youth in the process.
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Neil Lyons, Operations Coordinator
United Way of Steele County