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Community invited to support the “Renewal Cares Back to School Drive” by donating new school supplies to benefit students served by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis

Drop off or ship donations now through August 15

Renewal by Andersen of St. Louis and The Birner Group are partnering to help local students start the school year prepared and confident by launching the Renewal Cares Back to School Drive.

Donation Details –
WHEN: Now through August 15, community members are invited to donate new backpacks and school supplies for children and families served by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital of St. Louis.

COLLECTION SITE: Donations may be dropped off during regular business hours at the Renewal by Andersen of St. Louis Showroom at West County Mall, 80 W. County Center, Des Peres, Missouri.

SHOP ONLINE & SHIP: Supporters who prefer to donate online can purchase school supplies through the campaign’s Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to Renewal for distribution to local students. The Amazon Wish List is available here.

REQUESTED ITEMS: New backpacks, notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, colored pencils, crayons, markers, highlighters, scissors, 3-ring binders, loose-leaf paper, lunch boxes or lunch bags, notebooks, glue sticks, erasers, water bottles, pencil boxes or bags, pencil sharpeners, rulers, calculators with packs of batteries, folders, gift cards, ear buds, and other classroom essentials.

The Birner Group CEO Austin Birner said, “Every child deserves to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed. Every donation to our Renewal Cares Back to School Drive helps support St. Louis area children and families who need it most.  At Renewal, we believe in giving back and being difference-makers in the communities we serve. We hope to inspire other business leaders and community members to join us in supporting local families, helping ease the financial burden of back-to-school expenses, and creating brighter opportunities for our youth.”

“Our team is proud to sponsor the Renewal Cares Back to School Drive to support St. Louis area students as they prepare for a new school year and we are happy to partner with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital,” said Linda Johnston, Chief Culture Officer for The Birner Group. “We are grateful to everyone who joins us in giving back to these families throughout our community by providing students with the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom. We know that many families struggle to afford essential school supplies. But by working together, we can help ease that burden, give students the tools they need to learn, and inspire hope for a bright future.”

Renewal by Andersen of St. Louis (RbA)/The Birner Group are inviting individuals, community organizations, and businesses throughout St. Louis and beyond to support the Renewal Cares Back to School Drive by donating new school supplies or gift cards.

The School Drive will benefit families served by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital of St. Louis. The hospital is home to leading pediatric experts supporting more than 60 specialties including the top NICU and Cardiology & Heart Surgery program in Missouri, according to U.S. News & World Report. They also offer more than 30 convenient locations for primary care, emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, and specialty care services.

“Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital of St. Louis thanks Renewal by Andersen of St. Louis and The Birner Group for their amazing support of the children and families we serve. Because of compassionate leaders and businesses like Renewal by Andersen, we can brighten lives and bring hope and opportunity to countless young patients across the St. Louis region. Now more than ever, we must come together to help provide essential educational tools and health resources to those who need our assistance,” said Scott Adamec of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital of St. Louis. “Their ongoing generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we serve. We also invite individuals, businesses, and organizations to join us in supplying local children with the school essentials they need to start the year ready to learn, thrive and succeed.”

SOME KNOWN FACTORS: The affordability of essential household purchases and back-to-school supplies is creating barriers for low-income families. Prices have increased, making it difficult for some families, especially those living in poverty.

• Studies show that children having school supplies of their own can improve grades, creativity, attitude towards learning, behavior, peer relationships and self-image.
• Education is the first step to overcoming poverty. A single pack of pencils and paper can be the gateway to a bright promising year.
• Children need to be equipped to have a better learning experience, and supplies are part of that. Research consistently shows that having your own supplies improves students’ learning experiences and outcomes.

About The Birner Group – Renewal by Andersen (RbA)
The Birner Group – is an award-winning home improvement company overseeing Renewal by Andersen operations in multiple regions including St. Louis, Southwest Missouri, Memphis, Little Rock, Southern Louisiana, and Central PA. The Birner Group – Renewal by Andersen is heavily invested in serving the regions where they operate through their “Renewal Cares” give-back initiatives to support community needs, nonprofit organizations, special projects and families they serve and where their employees and customers live, work and raise their families. 

RbA is known for its strong culture, operational excellence, and commitment to customer experience and community giving through its “Renewal Cares” initiatives. Several nonprofits they support include TASKStl, Veterans Community Project of St. Louis, UCP Heartland, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, the St. Louis ARC, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army Corps and food banks in all RbA regions, Veterans Outreach of PA, PSFCA Big 33, YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, PA Dairymen’s Association, The Peyton Walker Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Speranza, Alex W. Smith Foundation, All You Can Inc., Dauphin County CASA, LLS, and beyond.

The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with the leadership of CEO Austin Birner and President Paul Birner.