By Jacob Mathias

In its continued partnership with Jefferson Elementary School, the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation made another donation of supplies to the school on Tuesday afternoon.

All of the 577 items donated- including pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers and more- were collected by the employees of Great Lakes. Jefferson is the adopted school of the company’s Stevens Point office, which also holds annual Box Tops 4 Education and other drives throughout the year.

Last year, the employees collected over 20,000 box tops and milk caps over the course of only one month.

“We appreciate that you give us the opportunity to do this. We have a lot of fun,” said Robert Allen, a supervisor at Great Lakes.

Supplied were distributed to the school’s teacher, and Principal Molly Demrow said any remaining supplies will be stored for students who need a little help throughout the year.

“We really appreciate the support for making sure our students are going to be ready for the first day of school,” said Demrow. “If you look at the school supply lists today, they’re very lengthy and school supplies are very expensive so we do have families and students who come to us who don’t have everything that they need.”

Each community with a Great Lakes office has an adopted school. The school is determined by the financial need of the individuals within the school. The office has also conducted book drives and presented monetary donations to the school.

Demrow said that Great Lakes employees have also volunteered within the school’s classrooms and read with students.

“It provides our students with other positive adults in their lives,” she said.

Does your business or organization partner with a local school? If so, contact Jacob Mathias at [email protected]