Fridley Public Schools received a generous donation of ink pens, felt-tipped pens, sharpened pencils, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, and student kits as beneficiaries of stationary company BIC’s annual Global Education Week charitable initiative in November. 

The partnership was facilitated by Cara Claggett, IB coordinator at Hayes Elementary, who connected with a BIC employee at a mutual friend’s wedding this summer.

“I talked to her about the possibility of our students benefiting from her company’s products and said we would love to be considered,” Claggett explained. “She reached out this fall and I filled out the paperwork with her. Then, a huge shipment arrived! I sorted through the products and divided them among the buildings to be used for students and staff. There were thousands of pens donated, so we had plenty to distribute. All district schools benefitted in some way.”

Claggett said she is especially thankful because this donation will alleviate the stress of replenishing writing tools and school supplies throughout the school year.

“Educators give so much in terms of love, time and resources to make school a positive experience. This will allow us to focus on what's most important instead of worrying about the absence of necessary materials,” Claggett emphasized. “It is so great when businesses recognize that sharing resources they have in excess can relieve a burden or simply bring a smile.”