United Way of Martin County continues to show what it means to "LIVE UNITED" by focusing on the building blocks for a good life - education, income and health.

The ability to work on the front lines as an advocate for Martin County's nonprofit community allows United Way to see firsthand the problems facing residents and is dedicated to helping as many people as possible.

As part of a site visit in March to one of 42 local United Way-affiliated agencies, United Way of Martin County Major Gifts Director Nancy Perry discovered Hope Rural School's desperate need for newer school busses and knew she could help.

Perry told her brother, Robert Bent, and father, Austin Bent, co-owners of the A&F Bus Company in Billerica, Mass., about Hope Rural School's situation and was able to coordinate the donation of two newer school busses.

"A big part of United Way's mission is recognizing a need in the community and then my job is to give donors an opportunity to do something great," Perry said.

The busses were delivered to the school June 26 and unveiled June 29 during a small ceremony where Hope Rural School Director Sister Mary Dooley thanked United Way and Perry, as well as Robert and Austin Bent.

"We couldn't bring hope to people, if people didn't bring hope to us," Sister Dooley said.

"We have been worrying about the safety of our old school busses and we are so very grateful to the United Way of Martin County for their more than 20 years of support, as well as the A&F Bus Company and Nancy Perry for their thoughtfulness and compassion to think about us."

Hope Rural School is a fully accredited institution offering classes to migrant and immigrant children pre-K through fifth grade. The school's mission offers hope to the families and to inspire the children to dream about a future of opportunity, achievement and triumph over adversity.

Call (772) 283-4800 or visit www.unitedwaymartincounty.org for more information.