Union hosted Collection Drive and Community Day to Support Local Students

The Township of Union is hosting its first-ever Back-to-School Collection Drive and Community Day to support local students and families ahead of the upcoming academic year. Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier, who spent her career in education, emphasized the importance of student preparation. "Having spent my career in education, I've seen how much of an impact it makes when a student feels prepared and supported on day one. Through the generosity of our residents, local businesses, and community partners, this new initiative will help ensure that every student in Union starts the school year with the tools, confidence, and support they need to succeed."

Union County Life covers Union community events and civic initiatives across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Collection Drive Timeline and Donation Items

The Back-to-School Collection Drive runs from July 30 through August 27, 2026. Community members and local businesses are encouraged to donate new, unused elementary school items. Standard school supplies include bookbags, pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notebooks, binders, crayons, paper, hand sanitizer, and tissues.

The drive is also collecting sensory-friendly items to support students with different learning needs. These items include fidget spinners, weighted blankets, bubbles, Pop Its, busy books, chewlery, Theraputty, stuffed animals, and balloons—recognizing that students learn and succeed in different ways.

Donation Drop-Off Locations

Donations can be dropped off at eleven participating locations throughout the township through August 27:

NJ Arts World (1925 Vauxhall Rd.), The Spliff Experience (2049 Springfield Ave.), BCB Bank (2000 Morris Ave.), Flywheel Centers ABA Therapy (2037 Morris Ave.), Cold Stone Creamery (1101 Morris Ave.), Union County Savings Bank (642 Chestnut St.), Union Public Library (1980 Morris Ave.), Vauxhall Library Branch (123 Hilton Ave.), Northfield Bank (1305 Morris Ave.), Union Senior Center (652 Rahway Ave.), and Union Police Department (981 Caldwell Ave.).

Back-to-School Community Day

The drive will culminate in the Back-to-School Community Day on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Union High School, located at 2350 N 3rd Street in Union.

The event will feature a school supplies and backpack giveaway for Township of Union elementary students starting at 12:00 p.m. Supplies are limited, and an ID is required. Children must be present to receive items. The event will also include complimentary haircuts for students and food trucks for families.

This first-year initiative represents Union's commitment to ensuring all students start the academic year prepared and supported, regardless of family circumstances. By bringing together community members, local businesses, and municipal resources, Union is creating a tangible way to demonstrate that the community invests in its young people.

Find more Union community events and civic initiatives on Union County Life.

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Q: How can I donate school supplies in Union?
A: The Union Township Back-to-School Collection Drive accepts donations at eleven locations throughout the township through August 27, 2026, including the Union Public Library, Union Senior Center, local banks, and other community businesses.

Q: What school supplies does Union need?
A: Union is accepting new, unused elementary school items including bookbags, pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notebooks, binders, crayons, paper, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Sensory-friendly items like fidget spinners, weighted blankets, and bubbles are also welcome.

Q: When is Union's Back-to-School Community Day?
A: The Back-to-School Community Day is Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Union High School, 2350 N 3rd Street, Union.

Q: Where can I drop off donations?
A: Donations can be dropped off at eleven locations including NJ Arts World, The Spliff Experience, BCB Bank, Flywheel Centers ABA Therapy, Cold Stone Creamery, Union County Savings Bank, Union Public Library, Vauxhall Library Branch, Northfield Bank, Union Senior Center, and Union Police Department.

Q: What time does the school supplies giveaway start?
A: The giveaway for Union elementary students starts at 12:00 PM noon on August 29. An ID is required, supplies are limited, and children must be present to receive items.

Q: Will there be other activities at the Community Day?
A: Yes. The event will feature complimentary haircuts for students and food trucks for families, in addition to the school supplies giveaway.

Q: Is this program for all students?
A: The supplies and backpack giveaway is specifically for Union Township elementary students, though the Community Day event is open to families throughout the township.