BULLHEAD CITY – Fifteen local businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies answered the call when the Bullhead City School District asked for help creating welcome bags for two dozen new teachers. More than 1,000 individual items were donated after the Bullhead Area and Laughlin Chambers of Commerce spread the word about the drive.
Most of the new teachers with varying years of experience are relatively unfamiliar with the Colorado River Valley and Tri-state area. A few grew up here and are starting their careers as graduates of BCSD’s “Grow Your Own” partnership with Northern Arizona University.
The welcome bags have a variety of items, ranging from visitor guides, area maps, notepads and office supplies to mugs, water bottles, non-perishable snacks and free restaurant food coupons.
“We’ve always known that we live and work in a caring community,” said BCSD Superintendent and 36-year local resident Dr. Carolyn Stewart. “It’s incredibly generous to have so many of our community partners help welcome classroom colleagues we hope will be here for a long time.”
BCSD’s new teachers will be in all classroom levels, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The District’s 79th school year begins July 28.
Welcome bag donors to date are (in alphabetical order): Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, Bullhead City Police Department, Colorado River Women’s Council, Culver’s, Farmers Insurance (Jerry Thompson Agency), First Citizens Bank, Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, M&R Water Hero, Mohave Community College, Mohave Electric Cooperative, National Bank of Arizona, Nexa Mortgage, Pinkbox Doughnuts, River Valley AC and Tri-State AC Hero.
Additionally, several BCSD employees and others in the community have begun donating household items, including soft goods, furniture, kitchen supplies and non-perishable food, to help some of the new teachers relocating to the area with only the clothes they can fit in their suitcases. Many of the items will remain the property of the school district, so that they may be reused in future years. Individuals, businesses and service organizations interested in that donation drive may contact BCSD’s public information office at info@bcsd15.org, or 928-758-3961, ext. 1412.
