Stores that are a part of Larry H. Miller Dealerships in Colorado are joining with Denver’s 9NEWS and the Volunteers of America (VOA) for the 14th annual “Stuff for Students” school supply drive.

During the entire month of August, officials highlighted the seven Larry H. Miller Dealership locations statewide will be collecting essential school supply items, including:

— Backpacks
— Pens and pencils
— Filler paper
— Two-pocket folders
— Spiral notebooks
— Crayons and colored markers
— Glue sticks
— Scissors
— Rulers and protractors/compasses
— Composition books
— Water color sketch pads.

VOA indicated that it will sort the donated supplies and distribute them to more than 15 Colorado school districts based on the percentage of free/reduced lunch students.

“We’ve made it our mission to enrich the lives of our customers, employees and community,” said Ray Reilly, senior vice president of operations for Larry H. Miller Dealerships. “Providing children with the tools they need to start the school year off right through the ‘Stuff for Students’ program is an example of this commitment.”

The dealer group mentioned “Stuff for Students” collection bins will be located at these stores:

— Boulder at Larry H. Miller Toyota

— Colorado Springs at Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota and Larry H. Miller Toyota

— Lakewood at Larry H. Miller Volkswagen and Larry H. Miller Ford

— Highlands Ranch at Larry H. Miller Nissan

— Thornton at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 104th.

Officials calculated the cost for basic school supplies for one student each year is $161.27 for elementary school, $198 for middle school and $893 for high school students. According to Denver Public Schools, there are more than 2,000 homeless students in Denver along with more than 60,000 on free and reduced lunches.

“With Colorado schools facing unprecedented budget cuts and the number of Colorado children living in poverty continuing to grow, more and more students are starting school without the necessary tools to succeed,” said Bradley Gulley, VOA director of volunteer programs.

“Having Larry H. Miller Dealerships as a partner this year is a huge blessing,” Gulley continued. “We will be able to reach out to more school districts and will collect a greater amount of supplies to help additional students. Supporting our local students makes our communities stronger.”

 Volunteers of America works directly with the school districts to distribute the “Stuff for Students” supplies, including:

— Adams 12
— Adams 14
— Adams 50 (Westminster)
— Aurora Public Schools
— Boulder Valley & St. Vrain School Districts
— Brighton Public Schools
— Cherry Creek Public Schools
— Denver Public Schools
— Douglas County Schools
— Elizabeth Public Schools
— Englewood Public Schools
— Jefferson Public Schools
— Littleton Public Schools
— Sheridan Public Schools
— Colorado Springs School District 11

In addition to participating in “Stuff for Students,” employees of Larry H. Miller Dealerships in Colorado have recently been active volunteers in their local communities.  Beneficiaries of their assistance include:

— Boulder Humane Society
— Littleton's Shiloh Center
— Lakewood's Action House
— AspenPointe Community Garden
— Marian House Kidz Kloset in Colorado Springs
— Thornton's Carpenter Park and Amphitheater

Larry H. Miller Charities also supports Colorado-based programs by awarding grants to several community organizations that work with youth.  The most recent donations were presented to Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives and Swansea Elementary in Denver and Colorado Springs' TESSA Safehouse, which also received a check from Toyota Motor Sales USA.

For store locations, visit www.lhmauto.com. In addition, VOA is accepting monetary donations at www.voacolorado.org/news_and_events/stuff-for-students to purchase additional school supplies following the drive.