A community fundraiser that helps local students get ready for the next school year while also helping l0cals safely dispose of paper documents saw another big turnout in late August.

Castell Insurance’s annual shred event held on Aug. 28 saw about 250 participants drive through, offering up donations to Sequim’s Back to School Fair through the Sequim Boys & Girls Club.

James Castell sales and marketing director at Castell Insurance, noted it was the business’ seventh event after last year’s shred fundraiser was canceled.

“It’s a cool thing see my team getting excited and be together,” he said.

Janet Gray, resource development director with the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, said the total funds raised was more than $5,570.

“When (the donation total) came back what it was we were pumped,” Castell said.

This year’s Castell shred event fundraiser and the annual Sequim back to School Fair took place on the same day, so Gray said the club will use donated funds to purchase supplies for the 2022 fair.

“These fundraisers are incredibly important,” she said.

She said organizers prepare to serve about 600 students each year at the fair, an event looking to help students in need. Not all backpacks the organizers purchased were distributed this year, possibly because students use them as much in the partial in-person/at-home hybrid learning many students experienced in 2020-2021.

Gray said organizers are purchasing more name-brand school supplies in recent years for their durability, compared to off-brands.

“A lot of teachers appreciate name brand (supplies); they last longer,” she said.

Events such as Castell’s shred fundraiser are helpful in making sure local students have what they need, Gray said.

supplies that are grade0-level based, 3rd-5th grader have exactly what they need, a few more supplies.

“The community steps up every year,” she said. “We appreciate it.”