Community members showed great support by contributing to the Maria’s Backpacks School Supply Drive this year. The campaign collected 5,778 items and representatives from the City of Maryland Heights dropped off the donations on Aug. 26, at the Pattonville School District Learning Center.Maria Lucas worked at the Maryland Heights Community Center when she died in a tragic accident. She enjoyed giving back to the community through education and began her career as a special education teacher in the Ritenour School District. The school supply drive is held in her memory and begins every year on her birthday, July 3.
Donations were accepted at the Maryland Heights Community Center, City of Maryland Heights Government Center and Maryland Heights Fire Protection District House 1. The Maryland Heights Parks and Recreation, Maryland Heights Police Department and Maryland Heights Fire Department all participated in the second annual event.
District social worker Amanda Thieme and other Pattonville staff members accepted the donations and Lappe will work with district social workers to distribute the items to all of the school buildings.