Here’s a way to help kids do better in school! Take school supplies to a barrel in Eastport Plaza before the end of August …
Portland General Electric’s specialist in community affairs, Rachel DeRosia, says she hopes you’ll fill this barrel at their Eastport Plaza office with school supplies.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Now’s the time that folks start thinking about buying pencils, erasers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue sticks, markers, notebook paper, and backpacks for their young students.
But, many folks can’t afford to equip their kids for school. Portland General Electric is stepping up to help them out.
“Last year PGE employees and customers donated over 25,000 supplies,” Rachel DeRosia, specialist in community affairs at PGE, told us when we met at their Eastport Plaza office.
“One of PGE’s primary focus areas is community investment in education,” explained DeRosia. “We believe that children should have basic school supplies; it gives them the opportunity to get a better education. A better education provides for better citizens and a stronger future workforce.”
DeRosia suggested buying an extra set of supplies when you shop – and drop the extras off at any of their offices during regular business hours.
Look for the PGE office and drop off donated school supplies before August 29.
“The donated items will help stock ‘Schoolhouse Supplies’ here in Southeast Portland; some of supplies go directly to the local school districts most in need,” DeRosia added.
All PGE customer service offices are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – including the one at Eastport Plaza, on the southwest corner of the plaza (near Starbucks) at 4328 SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, Suite 2050.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News