Help Kids Start School Year Right

By MEGAN HUSSEY Tribune correspondent

Published: Aug 6, 2007

To make sure all east Pasco students have the school supplies they need to start the 2007-08 school year, the Projects of Pasco organization has placed donation boxes at businesses throughout the area. Wesley Chapel Toyota is taking the concept one step further.

The dealership plans to fill a Scion xB sport utility vehicle with community donations of school supplies. The vehicle will be driven to Wesley Chapel Elementary School for Saturday's Projects of Pasco school supply distribution.

"The donations have already started coming in," said Corvin Morris, president and owner of Wesley Chapel Toyota. "Soon we're going to place them in the Scion xB, which will be parked in our showroom."

The dealership conducted a similar donation drive last year in partnership with Anna Fulk of Zephyrhills, who now oversees Projects of Pasco.

"Last year, Wesley Chapel Toyota brought us about $4,045 worth of school supplies. They are a major contributor," Fulk said. "The car they used last year turned out to be too small for all the donations they collected."

In addition, Wesley Chapel Toyota makes meeting space available to the Rotary Club and other nonprofit organizations.

"The school supply effort is part of our goal to improve the community around us," Morris said.

People may bring donations of pens, pencils, paper, backpacks and other school supplies to Wesley Chapel Toyota, at State Road 54 and Interstate 75. The entrance to the dealership is off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.