Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has once again demonstrated its commitment to local education by providing nearly 3,000 customized school supply packs to four high-need schools in the Tulsa and Union Public School systems. This year's initiative, which marks more than a decade of support, was strategically designed to address specific gaps in existing school supply assistance, ensuring that resources reached students who needed them most.
The firm's back-to-school efforts date back to 2016 with the launch of its Free Backpack Program. Over the years, the initiative has evolved to meet the changing needs of students, schools, and families. In 2026, Graves McLain adopted a more targeted approach, collaborating with local school representatives and participating in a community back-to-school coalition established by the Schusterman Family Foundation. This collaboration provided valuable insights into which schools had significant student need, including high free and reduced lunch rates, and were not already receiving substantial supply assistance from other community programs.
As a result, the firm focused its resources 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, supplies were purchased according to each school's specific wish lists. In total, 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 carefully planned: 1,100 supply packs went to Union 6th/7th Grade Center, 500 to Union Freshman Academy, 350 to Central High School, and 900 to Will Rogers High School. The packs were hand-delivered to the schools in time for the new school year, where Graves McLain partner Chad McLain met with faculty and staff to express gratitude and reinforce community support for educators and youth.
This year's initiative also had a broader community impact through a partnership with Gatesway Foundation. Participants from Gatesway, which provides vocational training and enrichment programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helped assemble thousands of the supply packs. Graves McLain also made a donation to Gatesway to support its programs, amplifying the positive effect of the initiative.
“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 school donations to large-scale community distribution events. The 2026 approach reflects the firm's enduring commitment, first established with the Free Backpack Program, to help local students begin the school year prepared to succeed. For more information about Graves McLain Injury Lawyers and their community initiatives, visit www.gravesmclain.com.
