Midwest City and Del City chambers renew support for Mid‑Del schools; announce summer 'Fill the Bus' drives

Shaina Bennett, executive director of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce, and Josh Schultz, executive director of the Del City Chamber of Commerce, said their chambers will run summer "Fill the Bus" school‑supply drives and continue partnering with Mid‑Del schools to support students and military families.

"This year our Fill the Bus dates will be July 10th, 17th and the 24th," Bennett said, adding Midwest City's collections will start at 9 a.m. at Sam's Club and will emphasize supplies for high school students preparing for careers and postsecondary programs. "We get a lot of crayons and markers and notebooks, but there's other things that these young adults need — it's important that we recognize that as a community."

Josh Schultz said Del City's drives will be July 22 and July 31, with collections at the Walmart near Tinker Diagonal, and will focus on elementary schools in Del City. "We want to make sure those kids that are first coming to schools are able to get those supplies," Schultz said, noting price pressures on families.

The conversation on the Mid‑Del Schools podcast also highlighted the district's high concentration of military families because of Tinker Air Force Base. Bennett described the district's Purple Star School celebration and said programs such as buddy systems help students who move frequently because of military assignments. "Whenever you travel, you learn how to accept people for who they are — those values are what brought me into a community such as this," she said.

Hosts Dr. Cobb and Stacy Boyer framed the chambers' work as timely for ongoing school facility improvements. The episode recapped why the district pursued a bond — rapid growth after 1942 left many buildings aging together — and noted active construction and renovation projects funded by that bond.

Both chambers emphasized community partnerships, business sponsorships and volunteers as central to sustaining programs that support students and families. Bennett said the chamber provides suggested lists of prioritized items at collection sites to ensure contributions match school needs; Schultz urged businesses to consider sponsorship or membership in the local chambers as another way to support schools.

The episode closed with personal shoutouts to district employees who have supported chamber efforts. Shaina Bennett named Megan Bryant for her counseling work and board service; Josh Schultz spotlighted his fiancee, Julie (a fifth‑grade teacher), and the family members who work for the district.

Listeners who want to donate or volunteer were directed to the chambers' collection events on the dates listed. The podcast also reminded listeners that Off the Record with Dr. Cobb and Stacy Boyer airs Fridays at 8:00 a.m. on the Mid‑Del Schools YouTube channel.