By Ashley Sanders

The News staff writer

Volunteers from the Port Arthur City Wide Ushers Union got a “big DeQueen thank you” Wednesday.

Dressed in bright orange T-shirts and offering students heartfelt and warm smiles, the Ushers arrived at the elementary school armed with $500 worth of backpacks, binders and trendy folders.

“We understand that we are not just obligated to our churches,” Tina Joseph, an Usher volunteer, said. “We know that many of the students attending DeQueen live in poverty and we want them to have all of the school supplies they need for the school year.”

DeQueen Principal Gladdie Fowler said she was thrilled that the Ushers selected her campus as the donation target for their goods.

“When I found out DeQueen was selected for these school supplies, I was just so grateful,” Fowler said. “DeQueen students need supplies and this will help so many kids and their parents.”

Fowler said she understands that most parents try to purchase all of their student’s supplies before school starts, however, with more than one child in the family it often becomes difficult to meet all of the district requirements.

The DeQueen staff will deliver the donated goods to the students who do not have all of their school supplies.

Fowler said DeQueen is very appreciative of the City Wide Ushers, the Health Care Networking Association and the DESK program for helping to meet the needs of their students.

Usher volunteers who delivered school supplies at DeQueen Wednesday included Tina Joseph, Staff Sgt. Damon Joseph, Willa Mae Dugas and Clifton Mitchell.

Anyone who is interested in donating school supplies to DeQueen or other Port Arthur ISD schools may do so by contacting the PAISD Administration building at 989-6222.