As students across the region prepare to return to the classroom, local elementary schools will receive additional support thanks to the generosity of employees at Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC).
This year marked the launch of the cooperative’s inaugural Battle of the Backpacks School Supply Donation Drive, a friendly employee competition designed to bring coworkers together while supporting students throughout the communities UEC serves. Departments across the cooperative were challenged to fill backpacks with commonly requested school supplies, transforming a back-to-school tradition into an opportunity to give back.
Employee participation exceeded expectations, resulting in the donation of more than 1,000 school supply items that will benefit 11 local elementary schools as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
The donation drive reflects the cooperative’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and strengthening local communities. In addition to the employee-led supply drive, gift cards are being provided to 11 local elementary schools to help teachers and students obtain additional classroom necessities.
For many families, back-to-school expenses can quickly add up. Items such as crayons, pencils, notebooks, and other classroom essentials may seem small on their own, but collectively they can help ensure students arrive prepared and ready to learn.
Supporting students and classrooms is one of the many ways the cooperative invests in the future of the communities it serves. Through the combined efforts of employees across the organization, essential supplies were placed directly into the hands of students and educators throughout the region.
The success of the inaugural Battle of the Backpacks School Supply Donation Drive shows the power of cooperation and community involvement. By working together, employees helped provide local students with the tools they need to begin the school year ready to learn, grow, and succeed.
