CBCTC sets Stuff the Bus donation record

The Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council recently made the largest donation in the history of a Cleveland-area Stuff the Bus campaign.

For the past 19 years, local Cleveland TV station WJW Fox 8 has held a Stuff the Bus drive to take donations to provide essential school supplies to students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

This year, the CBCTC made a $62,250 donation, the largest single donation ever. Event organizers believe the money is enough to fill 12 buses with school supplies.

Dave Wondolowski, CBCTC Executive Secretary/Business Manager, said the donation was a way to support the school district, its teachers and the students.

“We feel it is important to give back to the community,” he said.

The donation will help families who cannot afford to buy their school-age children the supplies, clothes or coats they need.

“The children in these schools have a difficult enough environment to learn in,” Wondolowski said. “Without proper supplies, they will fall further behind. They need the proper tools to learn.”

Over the years, CMSD has relied on the affiliated members of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council to construct its new schools and perform repairs. This donation was one way to give back to an entity that supports union labor.

“We have a bargaining unit of about 40 at CMSD, and do most, if not all, of the work in and throughout the district. They deserve our support,” added Wondolowski.

CMSD CEO Warren Morgan expressed his appreciation for the large donation, according to a report on the Fox 8 website.

“This is incredible, and I know it’s going to go a long way to get us to a strong start,” he said of the Cleveland Building Trades generosity.

Overall, the Fox 8 campaign collected enough items and funds to fill 25 buses.