It`s another successful year for the United Way`s Tools for Schools program: A total of $22,000 in supplies and cash donations were collected, which will now be divided between the three local school boards.

Costco provided 300 backpacks filled with supplies, while Staples turned over gift cards totalling eight thousand dollars of cash donations made by their customers.

Peace Wapiti School Division Superintendent Sheldon Rowe is a fan of the gift card idea, and a welcome change from early years of the program, where it was oftentimes obvious which children had received supplies because everything looked the same.

New Public School board superintendent Carol-Ann MacDonald is still learning about the program, but she likes what she has seen so far.

Catholic School board Superintendent Karl Germann says he notices a difference in the children that receive some of the donated supplies.

United Way Executive Director Gladys Blackmore hopes to expand the program next year to include a third collection point along side of existing partners Costco and Staples.

The supplies and gift cards are given to families who might otherwise not be able to afford supplies for their children.

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