Charles County Public Schools received numerous hygiene packages, coats, and everyday essentials over the past two months to support students and families in need. Last month, the Charles County School Bus Contractors Association delivered 300 coats through its annual coat drive, providing outerwear to students as winter approaches in Southern Maryland.
Additionally, Diane Wilson, president of Sister’s Keepers, Inc., a faith-based organization dedicated to encouraging women through community outreach, annual conferences, and related events, donated toiletry packages including body soap, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, and other necessary items.
Wilson explained her motivation, stating, “No one should ever have to go without necessary everyday items such as soap. We [Sister’s Keepers] hope to continue to give to those in need throughout the year.” She shared that growing up, she lacked items like body soap or laundry detergent in school and faced bullying as a result, prompting her commitment to ensure other students avoid similar experiences. Sister’s Keepers has supported schools and community members with donations for more than 27 years.
Linda Stocks, supervising pupil personnel worker, said, “Myself and the pupil personnel workers (PPW)’s are so excited to receive the toiletries on behalf of our students. Our families will truly appreciate having not just basic toiletries but laundry detergent as well which is much needed.”
The Charles County School Bus Contractors Association, which partners with CCPS to transport students safely using local contractors, organizes its annual coat drive each fall. Community members donate new coats at designated locations, often in collaboration with partners like Community Bank of the Chesapeake. Past drives, such as one in 2022 that collected more than 200 coats, demonstrate the association’s consistent commitment to community support. Similar efforts in recent years have provided hundreds of coats, with distributions coordinated through CCPS staff to match sizes and needs.
Toiletries and hygiene items remain a year-round priority, as they help maintain daily routines and reduce barriers to regular school attendance. Donations of new or gently used items are welcomed at individual schools or the administration building in La Plata. Those interested in contributing can contact Stocks at lstocks@ccboe.com or 301-934-7333 to arrange drop-offs or discuss larger donations.
These initiatives reflect broader community involvement in Charles County, where organizations and groups address equity in education by providing essentials that support vulnerable families. For instance, annual coat distributions often target elementary and middle school students identified by staff, with emphasis on proper fit to encourage use. Hygiene donations complement school-based supports, including those for students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, which represent a significant portion of the student population.
Charles County Public Schools focuses on high-quality education in a region that values local partnerships. The bus contractors’ involvement extends their role beyond transportation to direct aid, while groups like Sister’s Keepers extend outreach rooted in personal experience to benefit the wider community. Such efforts help ensure students can focus on learning without basic needs as obstacles.