Gulf Coast Blood and BEAR Partner for Annual Back-to-School Community Drive

HOUSTON — This August, Gulf Coast Blood and BEAR...BE A Resource are once again partnering to help save lives and support local children through their annual Back-toSchool Community Drive.
From August 1-15, 2026, community members are encouraged to make twice the impact by donating blood and bringing new school supplies and other essential items for children involved with or at risk of entering Child Protective Services care. Donations collected at all Gulf Coast Blood donor centers will benefit BEAR's Back-to-School program, helping children and families prepare for the new school year with confidence.

"The start of a new school year should be filled with excitement and opportunity for every
child," said Kevin Shipley, Vice President of Donor and Community Engagement at Gulf Coast Blood. "Our annual Back-to-School Community Drive gives donors the chance to make twice the impact. By giving blood and donating school supplies during the same visit, they can help save the lives of local patients while making sure children in our community have the resources they need for a successful school year." Community members can participate by:
• Purchasing new school supplies or other essential items from BEAR's Back-toSchool wish list.
• Bringing those items to any Gulf Coast Blood donor center between Aug. 1 and Aug.
15.
• Donating blood during their visit to help patients across the Greater Houston area.
The campaign comes during a time when blood donations often decline because of summer travel, changing routines and seasonal activities. At the same time, many local families are preparing for the start of a new school year. By donating blood and


contributing school supplies during one visit, community members can help meet two important community needs at once.
BEAR...BE A Resource is a nonprofit organization that works alongside the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults to provide hope and support for abused, neglected and at-risk children throughout the Greater Houston area. Through its Back-to-School program, BEAR helps children receive the supplies they need to start the school year ready to learn.
To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit giveblood.org. To view BEAR's Back-toSchool wish list, visit https://bearesourcehouston.org/programs/bear-back-toschool/.


About Gulf Coast Blood
At Gulf Coast Blood, we are the only community blood center serving Houston and the surrounding communities, operating 24/7. As one of the largest community blood centers in the United States, we serve 26 counties across the Texas Gulf Coast, Brazos Valley and East Texas, supplying blood to more than 170 hospitals and healthcare institutions. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit giveblood.org.
About BEAR...BE A Resource
BEAR...BE A Resource is a nonprofit organization improving lives by providing hope and help to at-risk and CPS-involved children and their caregivers throughout the Greater Houston area. Through programs that provide essential items, school supplies and other support services, BEAR helps children and families facing difficult circumstances while promoting comfort, dignity and opportunity.