Paper, pencils, notebooks and backpacks need a home as the Sun City Posse kicks off its annual “Stock a School with Supplies” program for students in Aguila. The Posse, in conjunction with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, is holding its annual school supply drive through July 15.

Nearly 70 miles from Phoenix, Aguila is a small community with about 800 residents. Cantaloupe farming appears to be a main staple. It is about 1.5 square miles in land mass and the per capita income is around $30,000. The percentage of people living in poverty is more than 60 percent.

For years the Posse and the MCSO have collaborated on this drive and each time the students and their parents have been grateful for all the help.

“We hope to get enough items to supply the 150 students that are enrolled from Kindergarten to eighth grade.” Posse Cmdr. Tina Anderson said. “These youngsters have needs that other students don’t have so we need to do our part to make sure they have the necessary school supplies to make this a great year.”

Several years ago, the Posse joined the MCSO in their Christmas gift-giving venture for Aguila and then joined them again with the school supply campaign. Sun City residents continue to be a force of power as they donate hundreds of toys and other kid-friendly gifts at Christmas time, along with notebooks and supplies for the fall back-to-school drive.

Backpacks are critical, so the Posse is asking residents to get together and donate bookbags along with other school supplies: paper, pencils, pens, glue, scissors, construction paper, notebooks and crayons and anything else that will help start the school year right. All supplies must be new.

“In many cases for some youngsters this will be the only school supplies they will receive, so let’s make a difference,” Anderson added. “We are blessed to live in a community where volunteering and being philanthropic is part of who we are. So, I expect we will see some remarkable giving.”

Drop school supplies off at Posse headquarters at 10861 Sunland Drive on or before July 15.

Call 623-972-2555 for more information.