Courtesy American State Bank donated backpacks and school supplies to New Summerfield Elementary in Cherokee County. Pictured from left, are Gregg Weiss, New Summerfield superintendent; Tim Haugh, American State Bank general manager of consumer finance; and Kim Murphy, New Summerfield Elementary School principal.

American State Bank donated 40 backpacks filled with school supplies to New Summerfield Elementary in Cherokee County.

Tim Haugh, the bank’s general manager of consumer finance, said the idea came about after calling Kim Murphy, New Summerfield Elementary School principal, and asking how the bank could help, according to a news release.

Mrs. Murphy said several students show up the first day of school with no supplies because of financial needs in their family. In those cases, teachers often buy supplies with their own money.

Haugh decided the bank could help and, with approval from the bank’s chairman of the board, purchased 40 backpacks and filled them with basic supplies, such as paper, folders, glue, scissors and pencils.

In addition, at the suggestion of his wife, who is a teacher at a private school, they prepared 70 goodie bags for all teachers in New Summerfield ISD, according to the news release.

While delivering the backpacks, Haugh learned about a family that would benefit from the donation.

“To be able to step in and lend a helping hand to those in need is a wonderful feeling,” he said.

New Summerfield ISD Superintendent Gregg Weiss and Mrs. Murphy thanked the bank for the donation.

“New Summerfield does not get many donations, so we are very thankful,” Weiss said.

Haugh said although the bank sponsors its Player of the Week program for 26 area high schools during the varsity football season, New Summerfield doesn’t have a football team. So, through this donation, the bank could work with that district.

“Everybody at American State Bank is proud to be able to continue to serve the families in our community, especially with a program that will have such a positive impact as this will to the students at New Summerfield Elementary,” Haugh said.