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LANETT — A new school year is underway for students in the Lanett City School System. Thursday, August 8 was the first day of classes for the 2024-25 school year. On Friday, the Panthers With Passion booster group brought a large supply of items that will help get the new year off to a smooth start.

Panthers With Passion is a nonprofit made up of civic-minded individuals who are either Lanett High alumni, live in the City of Lanett or feel a special calling to help uplift those who are now attending schools in Lanett.

Panthers With Passion is helping get the year off to that great start by donating a large amount of clothing items that are required by the school system’s uniform policy. At 8:30 a.m. a group of Panthers With Passion was at Lanett High dropping off approximately 300 items of clothing such as pants, shirts, shoes, belts, socks and personal hygiene items at Lanett High. At 9 a.m. the group drove over to W.O. Lance Elementary School where they donated an estimated 600 items.

The clothing will be kept in closets and distributed to students as needed.

Greeting the PWP delegation and thanking them on behalf of the entire school today at Lanett High was Nanette Culwell, the principal. A short time later, School Principal Dr. Sylvia Haslam provided another very warm greeting on behalf of everyone at W.O. Lance.

The Panthers With Passion thanked the Charter Foundation along with local individuals and businesses on having made donations to help them in this drive.

“We love Lanett and its schools,” said PWP Chairperson Benita Gunnells. “We want to help the students and the schools in any way we can.”

“We are getting the word out that Panthers With Passion is a local nonprofit that raises funds for student needs,” said PWP member Trudye Johnson. “We want everyone to know that we accept donations and that there are children in Lanett schools who are in need of our help.”

Two current Lanett City School Board members, Board President Gwen Harris Brooks and Gail Holley, are members of Panthers With Passion.