CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Education got the ball rolling Monday with the first two “Keep the Ball Rolling” events at Marshall University and MU’s Bill Noe Aviation School at Yeager Airport in Charleston.
Through the program, which includes significant financial donations from L&S Toyota owners Shawn and Angela Ball, the Pack Family Foundation of state Treasurer Larry Pack and his wife Lisa, and the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, of Marshall President Brad Smith and his Alys, each school in the state is provided $1,500 to help meet the needs of students.
The program works through Communities in Schools.
State School Superintendent Michele Blatt said it’s an amazing example of giving from the Balls, Packs and Smiths.
“It really shows the commitment. Community support for our public schools is really what we need right now,” Blatt said Monday on MetroNews Midday.
The CIS Pantries program will provide “essential items such as coats, food and hygiene products will be more readily available for students due to the contribution” that totals about $1 million.
A “Keep the Ball Rolling” event is set for Tuesday at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, on Wednesday at Wheeling Park High School in Wheeling and Robert C. Byrd High School in Clarksburg with a Thursday morning assembly scheduled at Keyser High School in Mineral County.
Blatt said Shawn Ball started the initiative several years ago She said adding the Packs and Smith just makes the effort that much stronger.