Columbia Southern University in Alabama recently donated needed school supplies to a local elementary school in an effort to reach out to the community.

Swift Consolidated Elementary School in Bon Secour, Ala., received several boxes of school supplies from the Orange Beach-based university which are sure to benefit the grade school through the entire school year.

"Columbia Southern University believes in helping our community and we can think of no better way than supplying Swift Elementary with the tools of education," Director of Employee Activities Vicki Barnes said in a statement. "We hope these donated items from our employees will help the children enjoy learning and give them a foundation for success."

Swift school officials said they were ecstatic and grateful for the school supplies.

The elementary school is the oldest existing public school in Baldwin County, Swift Elementary provides education for kindergarten through sixth grade. The school serves about 250 students.

This donation is not a first for Columbia Southern University. In years past, the online university has given back-to-school supplies to area schools to help young children. The university has also donated and participated in charitable events such as Relay for Life, Red Cross blood drives and other causes.

Columbia Southern University offers online associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs in various fields such as fire administration, occupational safety and health, criminal justice, human resource management and business administration.

Visit https://www.ColumbiaSouthern.edu to learn more.