Archive: Around Town

Ithaca’s Winter Recess teachers week, Feb 17-26, opens with an added bonus, Friday—free classroom supplies from Staples. The office supply store is giving away 10 pallets of school supplies worth approximately $34,000 to school employees checking in during the event’s opening weekend.

The giveaway is timed to maximize the number of school districts that benefit. Historically, it’s the busiest portion of the weeklong celebration of state educators with broadest geographic attendance. Winter Recess attracts 5,000 educators and family members from school districts across New York and a dozen nearby states.

The donation itself comes from Staples’ Western New York State District, which includes Staples stores from Rochester down to Elmira and points west. Almost 6,000 individual pieces are in the giveaway, filling a 20-foot shipping container. Included are desk supplies, storage boxes, photo paper, whiteboards and other items useful to classroom teachers. The donation is comprised of overstock items from Staples Business Delivery and more than a dozen individual stores.

Valentine’s Day was a little sweeter for Owego teacher Kim Ripic and her colleagues at Owego Free Academy. Ripic is the grand prize winner of a statewide giveaway hosted by Ithaca’s Winter Recess teachers festival.

On Valentine’s Day, Ripic received an iPad2 for her personal use, courtesy of Verizon Wireless and the New York State Association for Computers and Technology in Education (NYSCATE). In addition, her school will share $1,000 worth of Staples Gift Cards to purchase classroom and office supplies. The prize is timely. Owego Free Academy is still recovering from devastating flooding this past fall.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Winter Recess to get these supplies into so many different classrooms and communities,” said Tim Granger, Staples Western New York State District manager. “We are fortunate this year to have merchandise available from different Staples Business units to give to one great cause—helping teachers. It’s something everyone at Staples supports in all the communities we serve.”

Staples will distribute the supplies free of charge to the first 1,000 educators checking-in at the Ithaca Visitors Center, 904 East Shore Drive. Check-in begins Friday, Feb. 17 at 10:00am and continues daily. Organizers anticipate the Staples giveaway items to be available though Feb. 20 or 21.

“We’re glad we ordered extra-large welcome bags this year,” said Fred Bonn, director of the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau, the event organizer. “Each teacher will get five or six items from Staples to fill their bags. It’s going to be like a shopping spree for teachers, but the store’s coming to you.”

Now in its sixth year, Winter Recess celebrates state teachers, public school employees and their families with a week of special events, parties and discounts throughout the Ithaca area. More than 200 local businesses participate, offering discounts on dining, lodging, shopping, spas, wine tasting and a calendar of 92 events. Registration is free.

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