Dillon family’s ‘Dorm Ready’ initiative offers college students free supplies

DILLON, S.C. (WBTW) — A Dillon family is helping college students as they prepare to head back to their classrooms this fall.

Teresa and Joseph Pernell are providing free supplies to students through their “Dorm Ready” initiative they started three years ago. On Saturday, hundreds of college students will be able to pick up the supplies for their dorms.

The supplies are intended to help students staying on campus make sure they have all the essentials needed to start the school year fresh.

The Pernells said they start saving money and collecting donations every year in January.

“We put money aside every month up until the second week of July,” Teresa said, explaining that that is when they have their annual “Dorm Ready” event.

The nonprofit Pernell Family Academy Services and Community Center was formed in 2021 to fill a void.

“Somebody is always giving out books, school supplies,” Teresa said.

Now, thanks to the Pernells, hundreds of college students get free essential living items for their dorms.

“The farthest we have ever had a student come from was 3.5 hours,” Teresa said. “He was a foreign student. We gave him enough supplies to last him about a year.”

The supplies include laundry detergent, paper towels, deodorant, shampoo, body wash and toilet paper. The students even have a chance to win big prizes such as laptops and TVs.

Roughly 95% of the money comes from the Pernell family, Teresa said. They spend about $7,000 a year for the items. The remaining 5% is from community donations.

The event at the Dillon Wellness Center starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and goes as long as the supplies last.

Teresa said they have enough baskets for 300 students even though it has been a tight year. She also said they want to continue the donations for as long as possible.

“All I can say is, as long as I have breath in my body… and have the finances to try and make it happen, this is something we are going to try and continue to do,” she said.

Students are limited to one basket and a college ID or a syllabus to show proof of college registration is required.

New this year, Teresa said they plan to add inspirational quote cards on the baskets to encourage and motivate students.

Anyone who wants to donate to the initiative can contact the Pernell family at 843-627-3121.

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Adriana Cotero is News13’s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here. 

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