Kathleen Elementary won’t have to wait on Santa for a big gift this year — Office Depot already took care of it.
Earlier this fall, KES was selected for the retailer’s Depot Difference initiative, which provides funds to Title I schools across the country to help purchase supplies. The amount awarded to KES: an eye-popping $32,197.
Karen Fleming, the principal’s secretary at KES, received the phone call with the good news.
“When they told me I said, ‘Are you serious?’ I was in complete shock,” Fleming said. “I couldn’t believe it. What a blessing.”
KES was nominated for the donation by the parent of a former student who was grateful for her child’s experience at the school. KES received the funds in the form of Office Depot gift cards and put together a wish list of needed items.
Thus far, the school has used some of the money to buy supplies like headphones, paper, pens, pencils and toner. Dr. Adrian Anthony, the school’s principal, says KES is considering using the remaining funds to purchase and replace classroom technology.
“With everything’s that going on in our world I’m happy that companies still value our students and teachers,” Dr. Anthony said. “We were excited that Office Depot cared enough about students to make this investment in our future. We could not have imagined this.”