As the school year comes to an end for students, collecting for next year’s school supplies is just getting started.

“At the end of the school year every year we started getting ready for the next school year, because they only have a 3 month break,” says founder and CEO of Operation Phantom Support John Valentine.

Valentine’s non-profit has been around since 2014 and every year he holds a school re-supply drive for children of active-duty military, veterans, and first responders.

“The biggest thing for me is I did 20 years in the army,” says Valentine.

“I had all the leadership positions throughout it, and I knew how hard it was for families to really give their kids exactly what they want.”

Operation Phantom Support says the backpacks are available for students of any age from kindergarten to 12th.

They will stop collecting by July 31st and allow students to pick up the supplies by the middle of August.

If you are interested in donating, please visit the Operartion Phantom’s Facebook page or their location at 401 N 8th St. Killeen, TX.

— KWTX