RAPID CITY - For the first time in 11 years, it rained on Black Hills Federal Credit Union's "Load the Bus" celebration.

But even the raindrops couldn't dampen the appreciation of school administrators loading more than 51,000 school supplies into vans, pickups and buses Friday.

"This is going to bring a lot of sunshine to kids," said Spearfish superintendent of schools Dave Peters. Spearfish participated in the school supply drive for the first time this year.

"This is absolutely amazing," Peters said. "It's hard for people to understand how many needy children there are."

A record number of supplies and cash were collected during Black Hills Federal Credit Union's school supply drive, according Roger Heacock, BHFC president. Cash donations were up 21 percent, and the 51,000 supplies collected surpassed a previous record of 31,000 items.

New crayons, pens, pencils, backpacks, notebooks and reams of paper will be ready when 3,600 students return to school.

"On behalf of those students, 'thank you' to everyone who supported this project," superintendent Peter Wharton said.

Dozens of local businesses and media outlets helped with the fund drive by either hosting a drop-off container, offering discounts on supplies or publicizing the drive.

"It's incredible how the community stepped forward," said Carol Brown, marketing manager for BHFC.

Employees at BHFC raised $2,600 selling raffle tickets to buy supplies.

"I've heard people were up shopping at 2 a.m.," Heacock said.

Those same employees sorted and packed boxes for the 34 schools in Hermosa, Hot Springs, Piedmont, Rapid City, Spearfish and Wall.

Hermosa and Piedmont-Stagebarn schools were added to the drive after a storm last weekend devastated the communities.

"For my community and students, this is such a relief at this time," said Chip Frank, principal for the Custer School District's Hermosa, Fairburn schools.

More than 800 children in Rapid City and Spearfish also will have new clothes for the first day of school because of the generosity of area church volunteers who contributed to Love INC's Clothe-A-Kid for School program.

Love INC is distributing new backpacks and clothes to children today at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Armed with only a first name, sizes and favorite colors, volunteers went clothes shopping for individual children. Each child receives two shirts, a pair of pants, a jacket, socks, underwear and a backpack.

Volunteers also took a one-on-one shopping trip with 100 middle-school children.

"The outpouring of generosity and compassion from the whole community has been overwhelming," John Ligtenberg, Love INC's executive director, said in a news release. "It's wonderful to be able to help so many children prepare for school and be ready to learn."

Love INC estimates an additional 200 children will receive help with school clothes in September.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com