Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 June 2010 17:33 Monday, 21 June 2010 15:56

It may seem like summer has just begun, but “Back to School” time is
just around the corner. This year, *Fulton Homes* is gearing up for the
new school year with their *Stuff the Bus* campaign. Held at *Chandler
Fashion Center*, the summer-long event benefits the *Children First
Academy of Tempe*. The Fulton Homes Stuff the Bus initiative collects
new backpacks, school supplies and clothing for the kids of the
*Children First Academy of Tempe*, formerly the *Thomas J. Pappas
School*. Fulton Homes, along with partner *99.9 KEZ*, will be kicking
off the program on *Tuesday, June 22nd *with a live remote from *7:00
a.m. to 9:00 a.m.* 99.9 KEZ radio personality Marty Manning will also be
on-site at various times throughout the event. The Chandler Fashion
Center is located at Chandler Boulevard and Loop 101.

Stuff the Bus, which runs through July 21, is a promotion that is true
to its name. There will be a full-size school bus parked inside the
Chandler Fashion Center, located in the Macy’s Court. The bus will be
painted with the handprints of all the children involved with Children
First Academy, and the handprints will detail the items that each child
needs for a successful school year. Donators have the option of either
choosing one of the handprints and purchasing the items specific to that
child, or simply donating general supplies. Located at the bus will be a
list of items that the children will be in need of for this year. The
categories are split up into school supplies, clothing, and hygiene kits.

For those who wish to donate to Stuff the Bus, Fulton Homes and 99.9 KEZ
are making the experience as fun and convenient as possible. Whenever
the Chandler Fashion Center is open, there will be volunteers from the
Maricopa County Schoolhouse Foundation ready to accept any and all
donated items. KEZ Radio personality Marty Manning will also be on-site
at Chandler Fashion Center the following dates:

June 22nd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Kick Off)

June 26th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

July 2nd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

July 3rd – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

July 9th – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

July 16th – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

July 23rd – 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

July 24th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

“Lending a helping hand to families in need across the Valley is
extremely gratifying and it perfectly complements our mission of
developing people, not just homes,” remarks *Douglas Fulton*, *CEO of
Tempe-based homebuilder Fulton Homes*. “Everyone deserves an education,
and we are incredibly proud that Stuff the Bus program will help some
very deserving children start the school year off right with some of the
tools they need to succeed.”

All of the items donated to Stuff the Bus will go directly to the
students at Children First Academy of Tempe. The Tempe Campus of
Children First Academy opened as a Pappas school in 2001 and
specializes in providing education to kids of homeless or
underprivileged families. Many Valley residents might be familiar with
the school’s previous name, the Thomas J. Pappas School, which provided
these same opportunities to families.
“Helping disadvantaged children receive an education has always been the
priority of Children First Academy of Tempe,” says *Diane Fernichio*,
*Assistant Principal* of the school. “As every parent knows,” states
Fernichio, “The cost of starting school each year continues to rise.
Clothes and school supplies can be difficult to afford for the average
student. For families in need, it becomes impossible.”

For more details about Stuff the Bus, visit _www.kez999.com_ and search
keyword “stuff the bus”. For more information call (602) 374-6000 or go
to www.fultonhomes.com <http://www.fultonhomes.com/> and click on the
“Fulton Foundation” link.