Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has once again demonstrated its commitment to local education by providing nearly 3,000 customized school supply packs to students in the Tulsa and Union Public School systems. This year's effort, which marks more than a decade of support, was carefully targeted to schools with the greatest need, ensuring that resources were used effectively.
The initiative began in 2016 with the firm's Free Backpack Program, which supplied new backpacks and school essentials to Tulsa Public Schools students. Over the years, the program has evolved, and this year Graves McLain adopted a more strategic approach. By engaging with local school representatives and participating in a community back-to-school coalition established by the Schusterman Family Foundation, the firm identified gaps in existing assistance. This collaboration helped pinpoint schools with high free and reduced lunch rates that were not already receiving substantial support from other programs.
The 2026 back-to-school initiative focused on Central High School, Will Rogers High School, Union 6th/7th Grade Center, and Union Freshman Academy. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the firm fulfilled specific wish lists provided by each school. The 2,850 packs contained more than 24,000 items, including pencils, pens, composition notebooks, highlighters, notebook paper, folders, earbuds, glue sticks, markers, scissors, correction tape, and other classroom essentials. The distribution was as follows: 1,100 packs for Union 6th/7th Grade Center, 500 for Union Freshman Academy, 350 for Central High School, and 900 for Will Rogers High School.
The completed packs were hand-delivered to the schools in time for the new academic year. Graves McLain partner Chad McLain met with faculty and staff to express gratitude and reinforce community support for educators and students. The assembly process was a collaborative effort, involving Graves McLain team members and participants from the Gatesway Foundation. Through Gatesway's vocational training and enrichment programs, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped assemble thousands of the supply packs. Graves McLain also made a donation to Gatesway, amplifying the initiative's community impact.
“Every year, we look at how we can make the greatest impact for local students and families,” said Chad McLain. “This year, we had a better understanding of where there were still gaps in back-to-school support, which allowed us to focus our resources on schools with significant need and provide the specific supplies they told us would help their students most. Being able to support nearly 3,000 students while also supporting the work being done at Gatesway made this year's effort especially meaningful.”
Over the past decade, Graves McLain's back-to-school efforts have ranged from direct donations to large-scale community events. The 2026 approach reflects the firm's ongoing dedication to helping students begin the school year prepared to succeed. For more information about Graves McLain Injury Lawyers and their community initiatives, visit their website.
