PHOENIX -

When Larry H. Miller Dealerships learned that students attending schools within the Avondale Elementary School District needed school supplies, the company was eager to help.

“Finding a need in the community and gathering together to fulfill the need is embedded in our company culture, but it’s also a part of who we are individually," Larry H. Miller Dealerships Avondale controller Ana Games said in a news release. “Our employees love contributing to the community by giving back.”

Larry H. Miller Volkswagen Avondale, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Avondale, and Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale are helping by hosting a three-week “Driven to Assist” school supply drive leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. The drive is meant to help nearly 6,000 Avondale Elementary School District children go back to in-person learning equipped with the individual school supplies required for adherence with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Through Nov. 30, Larry H. Miller Dealerships is asking employees and the public to help fill a vehicle in each of its three Avondale dealerships with school supplies.

Glue sticks, colored pens, pencils, highlighters, loose leaf paper, small covered pencil sharpeners, washable markers, pencil bags, composition books, calculators, Expo markers (low odor), hand sanitizer, and tissues are among the most-needed supplies.

The district, which educates kindergarten through eighth-grade children, returned to in-person learning at 50% capacity in October. But teachers have faced the challenge of not enough school supplies, and because of COVID-19 safety concerns, children can no longer share their supplies.

“Avondale Elementary School District is grateful to Larry H. Miller for their support in ensuring we are able to provide class supplies to develop individual sets for children,” superintendent Betsy Hargrove said in a news release.

Hargrove continued, “Typically, we are able to share supplies such as crayons, markers, and scissors in classrooms and groups. This year, and with the concerns around COVID, all students are in need of individual sets to ensure safe use. As well, we have some students at home and others in the classroom and all students need to be able to have the supplies necessary to access the excellent instruction.”

The school supplies will be delivered to the district during the week of Dec. 1.

Driven to Assist locations are:

— Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale, 10101 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, Ariz. 85323

— Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Avondale, 10055 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, Ariz. 85323

— Larry H. Miller Volkswagen Avondale, 10205 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, Ariz. 85323