United Way of Southwest Virginia has announced the return of its annual “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser, aimed to provide essential school supplies to students across Southwest Virginia.

The event takes place throughout the month of July in all 21 localities within its service area, impacting over 150 schools and over 73,000 students.

The organization said this fundraiser comes at a particularly crucial time, as families are facing rising school supply costs — expected to exceed $890 per family and an average of $597 per child.

“We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Megan Parks, Executive Director of United Way of Southwest Virginia. “Our community has always been incredibly supportive, and we are confident that together, we can make a significant impact in the lives of our students.”

School supplies can be donated at designated collection points throughout the region.

Here’s a list of donation locations across our viewing area:

To learn more about the fundraiser, click here.

For the first time since 2018, we can have a serious conversation about West Virginia and the preseason top 25 rankings. The Mountaineers rattled off nine wins in 2023, ending the year on a strong note winning five of its final six games including a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Neal Brown and GM Drew Fabianich did a masterful job of keeping the roster intact through the two transfer portal windows. Of course, they lost a few contributors, but nothing they can’t replace.

WVU returns three members of what was considered to be one of the top offensive line’s in all of college football in 2024. Two others, Nick Malone and Xavier Bausley, have started games at the collegiate level. The depth up front is in terrific shape. In the backfield, the Mountaineers will feature one of the top duos in the country with the contrasting styles of Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson. At receiver, they see the return of four of their top five pass catchers from a year ago, including tight end Kole Taylor who led the team with 35 receptions.

Defensively, the front seven is the unit’s strength. They’ll be able to rotate in anywhere from six to eight along the defensive line while housing the most depth they’ve had at linebacker since this staff arrived in 2019. The secondary is the biggest question mark. On paper, it looks to be an improved group but there are several new faces that make up that third level of the defense which could take some time to gel.

There’s more than enough proven talent on this roster for West Virginia to have a number next to its name to start the 2024 season, but will they? My guess is no. They’ll continue to rank the bigger brands who always fall extremely short of expectations instead – think of Miami, Texas A&M, USC and Tennessee – and others who probably aren’t as deserving but could find their way in such as Louisville, Kentucky, and Virginia Tech. If I had a vote, I’d put West Virginia in the 22-24 range. Instead, they’ll be in the back end of “receiving votes” category when the first set of rankings come out in a matter of weeks.

READ MORE ABOUT WVU ATHLETICS

What is WVU’s Biggest Concern in 2024?

WVU Absent From College Football 25’s Top 25 Offenses

West Virginia Ranked in Phil Steele’s Preseason Top 40

Virginia Lee (Hadley) Hall

Coralville

Virginia Lee (Hadley) Hall, 99, of Coralville, Iowa, formerly of Manchester, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, June 23, 2024, with her two youngest daughters by her side, at Grand Living of Bridgewater in Coralville.

Survivors include a son, Robert Hadley Hall (Carol) of Leavenworth, Kansas, and three daughters, Mary H. Kroninger, of Fresno, California, Eileen L. Hall of St. Louis, Missouri, and Elizabeth H. Bolin (Don) of Iowa City; three grandsons, Jay K. Nevin, (Amanda), Ian R. McGowan, and Clayton Hadley Hall, one granddaughter, Natalie Hall-Krishnamurthy (Akshay); two great-granddaughters, Abigail R. Nevin and Kavya Hall-Krishnamurthy; and one great-grandson, Benjamen R. Nevin.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Iowa.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Iowa.

Private Family Inurnment: Oakland Cemetery – Manchester, Iowa.