DonorsChoose.org

By: Alicia Sands Lurry

Dozens of teachers at E. Rivers Elementary School were showered this week with a myriad of classroom supplies and educational materials totaling over $22,000, thanks to a partnership between DonorsChoose.org and OshKosh B’gosh.

Teachers and students celebrated the spirited occasion during a special school assembly on Thursday, Nov. 10, when staff opened boxes filled with gifts ranging from microscopes and multiplication flash cards, to Legos, laminators and multi-sensory seating. 

Teacher Erica Pease said the donations will provide better learning opportunities for her students.

“I received tremendous math, science and social studies kits to cover all units for the remainder of the school year,” said Pease, who joined her colleagues on stage to accept classroom materials. “This is my first year teaching fourth grade, and finally feel that I have materials to be successful and guide my students in the right direction.”

A national nonprofit organization, DonorsChoose.org connects teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help. Teachers request materials, supplies and experiences their students need the most, and donors provide support to the projects that inspire them the most.

For their part, OshKosh funded 25 classroom projects at E. Rivers, and another 27 at nearby Garden Hills Elementary School for a total of $42,000. The gifts were made possible thanks to customers who donated funds through their B’gosh Jeanius campaign.

Students at E. Rivers give OshKosh B’gosh a “thumbs up” for funding classroom supplies for their teachers.

“It’s important for us to give back to the community where our stores are located,” said Tracey Del Moral, director of marketing for OshKosh. “We want to ensure our customers that the money they spend is going back to their schools.”

Teachers at Garden Hills were just as grateful for their gifts. Thanks to the generosity of donors, some staff received iPads, flexible seating, and other classroom materials and supplies. One staff member received a Zoo Atlanta in-school field trip for her students.

Third-grade teacher Katie Carlson said the chapter books and seating she received have made a huge difference.

“It’s awesome,” Carlson said. “It’s made our reading time more enjoyable. My kids are able to sit longer, and it adds color and excitement to the classroom.”