Operation School Supplies:
Supporting Youth & Education in the Greater Houston Area |
In 2007, the 17th annual Operation School Supplies (OSS) campaign benefited more than 32,000 elementary students representing 330 schools in 31 school districts in the Greater Houston Area.
As founding partners of the program, the Houston Alumni Organization and Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company developed OSS in 1990 to give back to the community by supporting youth and education.
Since 2001, H-E-B has been the retail partner for the annual campaign and in 2007 accepted donations at 45 area locations. The United Way was also a sponsor, bringing invaluable resources including staffed phone lines that took more than 3,500 telephone calls regarding school supplies.
The campaign has grown dramatically with the participation of FOX 26/UPN 20, Sunny 99.1, Houston Community Newspapers, the Houston Astros and the Houston Public Library.
Schools participating in the OSS program must have at least 50% of their students on a free/reduced breakfast and lunch program.
 In 2007, more than $150,000 worth of school supplies were donated or purchased. Since its inception fifteen years ago, the program has raised $1,452,123 toward the purchase of new school supplies to help area students.
In 2008, we plan to surpass last year’s amount so that we may assist even more elementary school students in the greater Houston area. |
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| Here's How You Can Help... |
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Give a financial gift.
Cash donations will go towards purchasing school supplies. |
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Buy Coca-Cola products at H-E-B stores from July 9 – August 9. A portion of every Coca-Cola product sold will go to OSS. |
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Purchase $1, $3, or $5 donation coupons at H-E-B cash registers from July 9 – August 9. |
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Drop off cash donations or basic school supplies at participating drop-off locations:
| July 9 - August 1 |
University of Houston (collection bins) |
| July 24 |
H-E-B (Gulfgate) |
| July 30 |
Astros Game at Minute Maid Park |
| August 9 |
Houston Public Library |
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Volunteer at Sort & Box Day on August 16 at the UH Athletics/Alumni Center. |
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Serve on the OSS Volunteer Committee
Contact Tonja Jones at tajones@uh.edu |
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| Upcoming Events |
| July 9 |
Operation School Supplies 2008 Campain Kick-off
[additional details]
@ H-E-B (Gulfgate)
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| July 9 - August 1 |
Campus Drive for Operation School Supplies
@ University of Houston Main Campus (Drop school supplies in any collection bin around campus)
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| July 24 |
Collection Day
@ H-E-B (Gulfgate)
6 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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| July 30 |
Houston Astros Collection
[additional details]
@ Minute Maid Park
(starts 2 hours prior to game)
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| August 9 |
H-E-B Campaign Ends |
| August 9 |
Collection Day @ Houston Public Library (Downtown)
Houston Public Library hosts a back-to-school party for Operation School Supplies. [additional details]
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| August 9 |
Collection Day/Supplies Drop-off
@ Athletics/Alumni Center
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| August 16 |
Sort & Box Day
@ Athletics/Alumni Center
[volunteer registration]
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| August 18 |
School Districts Supply Pick-up
@ Athletics/Alumni Center
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Operation School Supplies Scores Three Home Runs
Can a pencil change the world? In the hands of a child it can. And, apparently leaders in Houston and throughout the country agreed.
OSS has been recognized three times by professional organizations for its contributions to children and the community.
In March 2006, OSS was also recognized by Leadership Houston as the outstanding education community service project in the city. OSS received a resounding perfect score from the judges to win this distinguished award that recognizes corporate and community organizations that have made extraordinary contributions toward the betterment of life in the Greater Houston area.
In addition, the Houston Alumni Organization received two honors from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the global professional organization for higher education fund-raising, alumni relations and university marketing and communications professionals – first a regional honor. Shortly after, they received International Gold Medal from CASE for OSS which was presented to them in New York Summer 2006.
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