Costco Donates Backpacks to Barton Elementary Students

Aug 4. was the second day back for Barton Elementary school students, and one that will not be forgotten. Costco, represented by Ethiem Lewis, Costco's business marketing manager, and four volunteers, donated 400 backpacks to Barton, which was their adopted school for the 2015-16 school year. “We try to pick a different school every year,” said Lewis. Previous winners included: Fairfax elementary, Inghram Elementary and Highland Pacific. The Costco team was accompanied by San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden and Barton Elementary School Principle Janice Gordon-Ellis. As students hurried before the bell rang to get to class excitement buzzed as they entered the campus. The deciding factor for Costco to donate, Lewis explained, is the amount of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. According to Lewis, most San Bernardino County schools have approximately 90 percent student enrollment in the free and reduced lunch program. The students stood in the coolness of morning for the short assembly. They received backpacks of many varieties: robots, yellow geometric patterns, sail boats and pink hearts. All the backpacks donated were brand new. “When a corporation or organization adopts a school what they are saying is we are willing to invest ourselves in you, and help you become successful,” said Dr. Marsden. In addition to backpacks, Costco also sends volunteers to schools to help students improve their reading skills. “This is Costco's way of saying thank you, and giving back to the community,” Lewis said. Each student was given the opportunity to say thank you as they collected their new backpack and the example that Costco has set is a valuable one. It is the testament of a charitable heart.