News Releases

Owens and Books-A-Million Inc. Assists Area Children With School Supply Drive, July 28 – Aug. 28

Owens Community College’s Alumni Association and Books-A-Million Inc. are once again reaching out to area children in need of school supplies by holding a month-long Backpack to the Future School Supply Drive, July 28 – Aug. 28. Collected items will benefit low-income kindergarten-age school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

The Backpack to the Future School Supply Drive, which will occur at the Books-A-Million bookstore (2105 Levis Commons Blvd.) located in The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, expands the College’s educational initiative to now include an additional site for individuals to drop off their donations. Among the charitable items that will be accepted as part of the school supply drive are gently used or new backpacks, crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and Kleenex tissues.

“Books-A-Million is very proud to once again partner with the Owens Community College Alumni Association on such an important community service project,” said Rick Clayton, general manager for Levis Commons’ Books-A-Million store. “It is essential that children have the proper educational resources for the learning process and Books-A-Million is honored to assist in making such opportunities become a reality.”

According to Kaye Koevenig, Owens Alumni Association community service project chair, the Northwest Ohio community’s initial response toward the Backpack to the Future Supply Drive has been strong.

“Area residents truly recognize the value of education and want to make a difference in the lives of others,” she stated. “With more than a month left in the school supply drive and the expanded efforts and support by Books-A-Million, I expect the donations to easily surpass last year’s totals, which is a great feeling.”

Founded in 1917 as a street corner newsstand in Florence, Ala., Books-A-Million Inc. has grown to become the premier book retailing chain in the Southeastern United States, and the third largest book retailer in the nation. Based in Birmingham, Ala., the company currently operates more than 200 stores in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

In addition to the Books-A-Million supply drive, area residents can bring their charitable donations to the College’s Office of Alumni Relations on the Toledo-area Campus. For more information about the school supply drive, or to make a donation, call (567) 661-7410 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7410.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.