As students gear up to go back to school, many families are in need of the basic school supplies. To help these students start off the school year right, local organizations and businesses are coming together to collect school supplies and backpacks.

The annual Day of Connection school supply drive will run until Friday, July 20. The event is a collaboration between Rockdale County Public Schools, United Way, Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, and many other community groups, businesses and organization.

Donors can drop off supplies at Rockdale Career Academy from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Friday. Supplies in need include backpacks, paper, binders, glue, pens, pencils, crayons, scissors and more.

The supplies will be distributed Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to noon, at Rockdale Career Academy. The supplies will be for Rockdale County Public School students only, and families must bring their proof of residency, a picture ID and the students must be present.

Organizer Michael Hutcheson said about 700 students were served last year and this year organizers hope to reach about 600 to 700 students. The drive has been an annual event for eight or nine years.

“The need is always there,” said Hutcheson.

For more information, call 770-761-9244

Sponsors for the 2012 Day of Connections include: Amerigroup, The Beech Foundation,

The Branch, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Emergency Relief, Rotary Club of Rockdale County, WellCare, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Consolidated Copiers, First Light Home Care, Raven Counseling Services, Inc, Seedco, Gryphus Accounting Services, Partnership for Community Action, Inc., RE/MAX Agents, 3 Dimensional Counseling Center, Inc., Academy for Family Empowerment, Davis Roesler, Once Source Foods, Young People Matter, Youth Empowered Solutions and View Point Health.