Bel Air School Competes For Funds, School Supplies

In tough economic times, one local elementary school is looking outside the box for funding.

Staff and parents connected to are competing in a cyber voting contest for the prize of $13,500 in cash, gift cards and office supplies that is awarded to the school with the most votes, according to a release.

Emmorton Elementary is currently ranked fourth in the nationwide Avery Give Back to Schools contest and needs votes to push them above the rest. Voting is open through Sept. 14.

Avery makes a number of school supplies students use regularly, such as glue sticks and sticky notes.

"Avery is a participating partner in Box Tops for Education, a nationwide fundraising program dedicated to helping America's schools get the things they need—from books and school supplies to playground equipment to computers," according to the company's website.

The top five finishing schools will be given 25,000 Box Tops for Education coupons, $10,000 worth of Avery school supplies and gift cards worth $1,000. Twenty-five runner-up schools will be given 10,000 Box Tops for Education coupons.

Adults with valid email addresses are eligible to vote once a day, every day of the contest. Voting is simple and involves registering and casting a vote here.

Do you have innovative ideas about how to help local students? Leave a comment.