Floyd Light Middle School gets big check as ‘Big Lots!’ opens Gateway store

Find out how the school will use the $2,500 gift presented to them, when they cut the ribbon at this shiny-new super discount store …

The waiting is over – this Big Lots! store in Plaza 205 is finally open.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“Big Lots! shoppers rejoice! No longer must you drive to Vancouver or Gresham.” That’s what Richard McCaw, Manager of the Gateway area Plaza 205 “Big Lots!” (the name is officially spelled with a “!”) said, as he and his crew officially opened their store for business on October 28.

“Shoppers will find just about anything you can think of that you’d find in big box retailers,” McCaw told us as they readied to cut the ribbon, dedicating the store. “We buy from up to 3,000 sources. These sources give us closeout items; so, many of the items you’ll see carry brand names that you recognize.”

Categories of merchandise that line the aisles include furniture, housewares, food items, cosmetics, and utility items. “It’s a wide variety of products, anything that you’re typically finding in any other full-line store,” McCaw added.

The new store manager, Richard McCaw, says shoppers will find great prices and superior service at his store.

Presents a BIG check
To help with the store’s official opening, McCaw said they invited staff from Floyd Light Middle School to the opening. After his brief remarks, one new store employee volunteered that she was a Floyd Light and David Douglas High alumnus; another said she was a “Floyd Light Mom”.

“As a token of our appreciation,” McCaw then announced, “We’re presenting your school with this check. It’s my pleasure to make a donation of $2,500 to the school.”

Richard McCaw and Eric Sapp from Big Lots! present a check for $2,500 to Natalie Osburn, David Douglas School District’s Assistant Superintendent over secondary schools; and Floyd Light Middle School’s Improvement Coordinator, Lisa Just; Lili Olmos, head secretary; Michelle Heffner, a school counselor and Mark Gaulke, the school’s Principal.

Funds to support positive behavior program
Mark Gaulke, Principal of Floyd Light Middle School, said he and his staff were happy to help out with the grand opening – and to receive the big check.

“Our school operates several programs in which we provide incentives for kids,” Gaulke explained. “One of them is called ‘Positive Behavior Support” – we reward kids for doing the right thing.”

These incentives are like pizza parties, or an after-school activity, or clothing, the Principal said.

With a snip of scissors, the store opened, and customers streamed in to check out the new Big Lots! discount store in outer East Portland, located at 10548 SE Washington Street.

Floyd Light Middle School’s head secretary, Lili Olmos, cuts the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the store.