DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Family Connection Stuff the Bus initiative kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m.

Each year Family Connection partners with local companies to donate, collect, sort and distribute school supplies to children in need.

One annual ritual that parents and students look forward to is picking out new school supplies but some local families can’t afford these necessary materials.

A backpack filled with pencils, notebooks, and erasers are just ordinary school supplies to most kids, but to a child in need those few items can be treasured, helping to bridge the gap between fitting in and feeling different.

The event will run through Aug. 2 and donations can be received at Associated Credit Union, 4200 Dawson Forest Road and Dawson County Family Connection 96 Academy Drive.

For more information, call Family Connection at 706-265-1981

Recommended items include:

• Flash drives
• 3-ring binders
• dry erase markers
• 5-subject dividers
• pencils (Reg. No. 2 and Colored)
• Supply/Pencil boxes (solid colors)
• arkers (Washable)
• Notebook Paper (Wide and College)
• Pens (blue, black and red)
• Scissors (blunt and regular)
• Glue (sticks and bottles)
• Composition Books (Wireless)
• Generic Book Bags (Solid Color)
• Drawstring sport bags).