Beth Benko and her brother, Steve Benko, who are both Bataan Memorial and Port Clinton High School Alumni, will be donating school supplies for all Bataan Memorial Elementary students in grades preschool through grade five for the 2022-23 school year.

Bataan Memorial Elementary School families received some great news recently that all of the boys and girls in pre-school through grade five will receive free school supplies for the 2022-23 school year. The donations will be provided by siblings Beth and Steve Benko, who are the owners of United School Supplies, a school supply company that has successfully served hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of students, parents and teachers since the Benkos launched the company in 2017.

The school district usually publishes a list of back-to-school supplies that each student brings on the first day of school. However, this year the Benkos, who are both Bataan alumni who grew up in Port Clinton just a block away from the school, will be donating and delivering the requested back-to-school supplies for every student.

“We grew up in a family and a community that always valued education. We are extremely appreciative of our experiences at Port Clinton City Schools and very thankful we can give a little something back to the next generation of students and teachers,” said Beth Benkos, who is currently serving as the president of the Port Clinton Board of Education.

The supplies will be packed, labeled by classroom, and delivered to the school this summer. The supply kits will include all of the commonly requested items, including the brands parents know and trust like Avery Durable View Binders, Crayola Crayons/Colored Pencils/Washable Markers, Dixon Ticonderoga Pencils, Elmer’s Washable Glue Sticks, Expo Dry Erase Markers, Fiskars Non-stick Scissors, Kleenex Facial Tissues, Pamper’s Baby Wipes, Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers, Sharpie Highlighters, Sterilite Plastic Pencil Boxes, UltraFolder Heavy-Duty Plastic 2-Pocket Folders, and Ziploc Storage Bags.

A parent with three teenagers, Steve Benos knows how important quality supplies are in elementary classrooms. “As is usually the case, you need the right tool for the job. We believe delivering these supplies will have a positive impact on students and their families,” he said.

Recognizing that students have personal preferences, the only item Bataan Memorial families will need is a backpack or tote. If needed, the Salvation Army Tools for School program is a great resource for this particular item. Port Clinton’s first day school for the 2022-23 school year is Monday, Aug. 29.