On May 5th, 192 excited students from Ritta Elementary School helped launch the 30th Annual Straight from the Heart Goodwill Sack Pack Donation Drive. Ritta Elementary was specially selected from all Knox County Schools to host the kick-off event because they had the highest participation in the 2016 drive of all Knox County schools; they were joined by Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling as they helped move donations from the classrooms and into the Goodwill truck.
Now, the students at Ritta Elementary are challenging their counterparts to match their kick-off success for the Sack Pack Donation Drive, which takes place May 8-12 for all Knox County, Anderson County, Hamblen County, Oak Ridge City and Clinton City elementary and middle schools. Students are encouraged to bring donations of gently used clothing, toys and other household goods to their schools to benefit Goodwill Industries-Knoxville.
In exchange for their bag of donations, participating Knox and Anderson county students will be rewarded with a coupon for a free meal from McDonald’s and a free admission coupon to the American Museum of Science and Energy. Hamblen County students will receive a McDonald’s coupon and the opportunity to win tickets to Dollywood or win an ice cream party for their class.
In 2016, students contributed over 46,000 pounds of donations for Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc. during the Sack Pack donation drives. Donations made to Goodwill are sold in Goodwill’s 28 regional retail stores; proceeds allow Goodwill Industries-Knoxville to provide vocational services and employment opportunities to people with barriers to employment across their 15-county service area across East Tennessee.
Sack Pack sponsors include WBIR-Channel 10, the American Museum of Science and Energy, McDonald’s, Keep Anderson County Beautiful, Keep Hamblen-Morristown Beautiful, and Dollywood.
For more information call 865.588.8567