Newell Rubbermaid donates $35,000 worth of supplies to local schools
By Matthew Stewart | (matts@thedailytimes.com)
A global company and its local employees have donated much-needed supplies to area schools.
Newell Rubbermaid recently donated $35,000 worth of writing instruments, highlighters and markers to 95 area schools, including Blount County and Maryville schools. The company donated a variety of products, including Expo, Sharpie, Paper Mate and Prismacolor.
For more than five years, Newell Rubbermaid employees have helped students in neighboring school districts.
“We’ve been doing this (initiative) for the last four years, and this was our best year so far,” said Jackie Potter, planner for Newell Rubbermaid’s Writing & Creative Expression global business unit. About 200 local employees packed up and delivered supplies this year.
Employees volunteered to pack supplies before and/or after their shifts, she said. “We just asked them to come and help when they were done, and lots of people showed up to volunteer. We have a 7 a.m. shift start, and we had people coming in at 6 a.m. Each school was able to get an extra 10 bags (due to employee participation).”
Employees made deliveries to principals and teachers, Potter said. “They’ve been really happy with it. We’ve got thank-you notes from the teachers and their kids.”
Her children who attend Greenback School received the company’s donations earlier this week. Employees delivered four boxes to the school.
Potter has only heard positive comments from schoolchildren. “They absolutely loved it! When some of the children heard that I work here, they asked my children to see if I could get them some (Sharpie) Metallic Markers. Every child loves them, because they’re sparkly.”
She also wanted to publicly thank employees for supporting the initiative. “It’s really amazing to see people try to go above and beyond to help people. It’s an awesome feeling, because it shows Newell Rubbermaid is committed to this area, kids, teachers and school district.”
Through its Investing in Community corporate philanthropy initiative, Newell Rubbermaid helps provide youth and young adults access to the tools needed in school and in life.
