Collection event set for Aug. 1-2 at Walmart during tax holiday

As the 2025–2026 school year approaches, the United Way of Tuscarawas County will once again join forces with HARCATUS Head Start to “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for preschoolers in need. The annual event will be held Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Philadelphia Walmart, during Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday.

Volunteers will be posted at each Walmart entrance with a list of needed items and collection boxes. Donations will be placed directly into the boxes and delivered to a school bus parked outside. The collected items will then be distributed to Head Start classrooms across Tuscarawas County, serving children ages 3 to 5 from families at or below the federal poverty level.

Each year, more than 300 preschool students begin the school year without adequate supplies, according to United Way officials. The “Stuff the Bus” campaign is aimed at giving those children a solid start.

“It’s great to be supporting HARCATUS Head Start once again this year,” said Sarah Spies, president of the United Way of Tuscarawas County. “Not only does the United Way support youth opportunity, but also community resiliency, and we hope to do both through this great program that sets children in our community up for success.”

HARCATUS Head Start Director Brooke Yager echoed the importance of the effort. “I truly believe it takes a community to support children to be successful in life,” Yager said. “All items donated will help children within our community. From the donations to the volunteers holding the event, we appreciate all the support.”

For those unable to attend the Walmart event, supplies may be dropped off early at designated public collection sites, including Andreas Furniture in Sugarcreek, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy in Dover, First Federal Community Bank branches, First National Bank of Dennison locations, McInturf Realty, Parkway Auto Superstore, Parkway Honda, Parkway Nissan and the Tuscarawas County Child Support Enforcement Agency.

Employee collections are also being organized by Dover Chemical and Novogradac.

For more information, visit the United Way of Tuscarawas County’s website or follow UW on social media.