Campus response to the Staff Council's annual school supply drive was outstanding, according to council president Kim Hiatt, administrative coordinator in the Department of Communication Studies.

Additional donations on Wednesday brought the final tally to 4,370 items compared with 1,500 items in last year's inaugural drive.

"Items donated ranged from crayons and watercolors to notebooks to calculators and backpacks," Hiatt said. "We hope to continue having such a great response each year."

Coordinating the drive was Teresa Rector, purchasing assistant. Staff Council would like eventually to be able to donate supplies to all area schools, she said.

"After we sorted and counted all the items, we decided that the greatest demand for the supplies we collected was definitely from Muncie Community Schools," Rector said. "It had the most kids that we could assist, and we knew that the need was there."

Lon Sloan, principal of Longfellow Elementary School, was among the school officials praising the council for its care and concern for needy students.

"It is very difficult and often embarrassing for these students to report to school empty handed," Sloan said. "I'm sure the university employees'  efforts will make their burden a little lighter and their day a little brighter."

Staff Council established the school supply drive last year to help ensure that all children begin the new school year with new school supplies that they could be proud of.

The council also conducts a coat drive in October and a blood drive in June.

Council volunteers assisting in sorting items included Adrian Adams, Sylvia Ewert, Sharon Martin, Stacey Myers and Angel Silvers. 

"It was wonderful to see the campus community pull together and get excited about helping our young citizens of today," Rector said.