A brand-new school year is upon us – chock-full of new opportunities! My Outreach team has been working year-round to help children be their best, especially at school.
In addition to Random Acts of Kindness donations to schools, I also had the opportunity to provide furniture donations for classrooms and teachers lounges and help schools celebrate National Reading Month in March.
Here’s a glimpse at my “school schedule”:
Flexible seating in Classrooms
Flexible seating is a growing trend in many schools across the country. Schools are recognizing the benefits of offering kids multiple options to feel comfortable and attentive in the classroom.So when an elementary school teacher, Ms. Lindsey Kling, in Trenton, Michigan reached out asking if she could incorporate two Montana bar sets into her flexible seating plan, I was happy to help!
When Ms. Kling was ready to set up her classroom on August 1, my delivery team met her at the school and got to work assembling the bar sets. After the delivery, Ms. Kling shared, “I am completely humbled. The delivery team was amazing! They handled everything including keeping me updated with the delivery and time and the set up itself. I was not expecting the furniture to be assembled, and it was a task I was mentally preparing myself to do! That was a HUGE weight off my shoulders, and they saved me so much time! I cannot wait for my students to walk into my classroom this year.”
Random Acts of Kindness
For each store opening, Bob’s Outreach team identifies two local schools to receive a “Random Act of Kindness” check.
It’s a great way to expand my Outreach support from coast to coast while showing my newest communities how much I care.
This year alone, Bob’s donated $90,000 to local schools at 19 store openings from coast to coast (North Dartmouth, Massachusetts to Burbank, California). No gimmicks and no strings attached, just us trying to be there for the community in any way I can.
National Reading Month
Who doesn’t love lounging in a comfy chair and opening a great book – I know I do! That’s why I love supporting schools celebrating National Reading Month. This year, I traveled to schools to deliver books and provide $1000 donations in support of their literacy programs.
One event that was particularly fun was the Book Bonanza at Bowers Elementary School in Manchester, CT. Jennifer Adams, the school’s Reading Specialist, connected with my Outreach team in February about a fun day of reading activities they had planned throughout their school. I pitched in by donating books and calling up my friend, UConn’s mascot Jonathan the Husky, to join in on the reading fun.
The Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Learning School in New Haven, CT, also received books and a $1000 donation for their literacy program. I heard about this school through a friend of a Bob’s employee who wrote a letter requesting support – which we were more than happy to answer!
Giving teachers a comfy place to unwind
Teachers are some of the most amazing people! They think about their classrooms year-round. They look for new and exciting ways to enrich their students’ lives and make learning a fun experience.
That’s why when members of the Canal Parent Group called me to see if we could make the Teachers’ Lounge at Oxford Cumberland Canal School a bit more comfortable, I was on the job. I had members of the parent group go to my Scarborough, Maine, store to shop for the perfect pieces. They ended up picking out my incredibly comfortable Reese Accent Chairs which was delivered during Teachers Appreciation Week in May.
“I hear you can’t go in the lounge without finding someone enjoying [the chairs].” said a member of the Canal Parent Group.
We can’t wait to see what new adventures await you this school year and how we can help! Best of luck to all the teachers, parents, and students out there.
