All 263 State Employees’ Credit Union branches will again serve as collection sites for Gov. Roy Cooper’s second annual School Supply Drive, which began Monday and runs through Friday, Aug. 17.

The governor made the formal announcement during kickoff events held last week at E.M. Rollins Elementary School in Henderson and Thomasboro Academy in Charlotte. SECU executives were on hand for both events, including Mike Lord, president/CEO of State Employees’ Credit Union, and Tyrone Tyler, senior vice president of the Charlotte district offices.

“We are happy to provide our branch offices as collection points for those wishing to support our children and teachers by donating school supplies or cash contributions.  Our children are the future of North Carolina and our country.  These donations will improve their opportunities to learn,” Lord said.  “As a financial cooperative formed to benefit our members, which include teachers and state employees, we are pleased to assist with the governor’s statewide school supply drive.  We have branch offices in all 100 North Carolina counties, which provide opportunities for interested citizens across the state to participate in the drive.”

Cooper is encouraging North Carolina residents to donate these items: paper (all types), pens and pencils, USB flash drives, dry erase markers, copy paper, folders, tissues and sanitizing wipes. Monetary donations will also be accepted and used to purchase supplies.

The collected supplies will be distributed to the schools by the Communities in Schools of North Carolina organization in the county in which they are donated.

The Polk County SECU branch office is located at 74 Weaver St., Columbus.

– Submitted article