Nearly 500 community volunteers will come together, August 5-8, to brighten local students’ days by assembling more than 5,400 Shine Bright hygiene kits at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

As we prepare for a new school year, thousands of students are lacking essential hygiene items like soap, shampoo, clean clothes and dental products – impacting their health, academics and self-esteem. Each Shine Bright kit contains the full-sized hygiene items these students need to feel confident in the classroom and in life.

Shine Bright is a partnership between United Way of the Midlands (UWM), Omaha and Council Bluffs Public Schools, Papillion LaVista Schools, JAG Nebraska and others. With the community’s support, Shine Bright partners will distribute the assembled Shine Bright Kits to Kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students in need throughout the community and to JAG Nebraska students across the state.

“Right now, families across the metro are truly struggling to make ends meet,” said Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO, United Way of the Midlands. “That means many are having to make tough choices with their finances, often leaving them without hygiene products like soap or dental products. Together with volunteers and the support of local businesses, we are helping students get the items they need so they’re ready to learn and can ‘shine bright’ in school.”

Shine Bright is possible thanks to Supporting Sponsors Centris Federal Credit Union, Delta Dental of Nebraska, Google, Mid-America Center and Tim and Terri Burke – along with Community Sponsors Election Systems & Software, Fiserv, Liberty Packaging, Penske, Wellabe, Werner® and WoodmenLife.

Members of the media are invited to attend the Shine Bright event at the Mid-America Center on Wednesday, August 6, from 10 – 11: 30 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m. That day, Dr. Andrew Rikli, superintendent for Papillion LaVista Schools and Lisa Utterback, Community Services Chief Officer with Omaha Public Schools will be available for interviews from 10 – 11:30 a.m.; Tim Hamilton, Chief of Student & Family Services and Heidi Klement, District Student Navigator, both with Council Bluffs Public Schools will be available for interviews from 1 – 2:30 p.m. and Shawna Forsberg will be available for interviews from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m.

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 About UWM Volunteerism:

Volunteers are the heartbeat of a strong community. At United Way of the Midlands (UWM), we believe that generosity isn’t about what you have – it’s what you’re willing to share. UWM brings dedicated volunteers together in service through activities across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro including: Good on the Go, Shine Bright, Day of Caring, Volunteers United and more. Together, these efforts address essential needs, support local nonprofits and inspire a community of neighbors helping neighbors. To learn more, visit UnitedWayMidlands.org/Volunteer.