McKenzie Valve Aids Local Schools with Supply Drive

McKENZIE — This summer, McKenzie Valve & Machining established a goal to help the local community. The industry teamed with the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce to collect and distribute school supplies for schools across the county, with an initial plan to provide 20 backpacks full of supplies to six schools. By August, the industry received enough donations to exceed that goal and provide supplies to seven local school systems: McKenzie, Huntingdon, West Carroll, Bruceton, Clarksburg, Henry, Gleason and Dresden.

The industry created a donation list based on local schools’ supply lists, taking note of general supplies needed at all schools across all grades. All donations were then packed into backpacks, which will be distributed to each school during the first week of classes. Each backpack contains two folders, one pack of loose leaf paper, a composition notebook, a pencil pouch, a pack of pencils, glue sticks, crayons, markers, highlighters, Expo dry erase markers, one pack of disinfecting wipes, and a box of Kleenex tissues. Over the summer, McKenzie Valve & Machining received enough donations to fill about 160 backpacks, with some donations left over.

The industry initially wanted to have a smaller drive, donating only to McKenzie schools. Plant manager Jimmy McClain, who has two children in Henry County schools, suggested reaching out to the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce and trying to reach as many local schools as possible.

“This was really a community effort,” said Kelsey Little, an employee with McKenzie Valve & Machining. “We were overwhelmed by the support and help we received from Chamber members.”

Some days, McKenzie Chamber members would be seen dropping off school supplies in truck loads. Employees at McKenzie Valve & Machining also contributed to the cause, donating either supplies or money to purchase supplies.

Many of the industry’s employees have children enrolled in local school systems, which encouraged them to really reach out and help.

Chris Gibbs, a McKenzie Valve & Machining employee, has two children attending McKenzie schools. “We’re really looking forward to serving the community in any way we can,” said Gibbs.

Once schools receive the supplies, each school’s administration will distribute the supplies as necessary. Most of the donated supplies will go to elementary schools, but some leftover miscellaneous supplies will go to middle and high schools.

This is the industry’s first back-to-school supply drive. McKenzie Valve & Machining, which manufactures and supplies railroad tank car parts, opened in 1997 and is located at McKenzie’s South Industrial Park.