Sept. 8, 2026- You can say the year is starting off hopeful for many district students.

The Hope Center — a local, Toms River-based nonprofit — made a generous donation of back-to-school supplies to support students throughout the district.

West Dover Elementary School served as the recipient of the donation, which was then distributed to buildings throughout Toms River Regional Schools, allowing elementary, middle, and high school students to benefit from the generosity of The Hope Center.

The donation included a variety of items to support students as they begin the new school year — notebooks, notebook paper, Play-Doh, pencils, backpacks, glue, sticky notes, pens, highlighters, markers and more.

"We are incredibly thankful for community partners like The Hope Center who continue to demonstrate their commitment to our students," said West Dover Supervisor Kate Melson. "Their generosity is a wonderful example of the positive impact that can happen when our schools and community come together to support our students."