OfficeMax delivers goods to one lucky Santa Maria teacher

A DAY MADE BETTER: Arroyo Grande OfficeMax employees surprised Robert Bruce School sixth grade teacher Shannon Verbryke (left) with a gift of more than $1,000 in school supplies. “Teachers always do so much inside and outside of the classroom,” Verbryke said. “It’s nice to have the community come together and help out at a time like this because we do need supplies. It makes it a lot easier and a lot more fun.” Credit: PHOTO BY JEREMY THOMAS

On Oct. 6, Shannon Verbryke, a 6th grade teacher at Robert Bruce School, received a surprise visit from employees of the OfficeMax in Arroyo Grande. The chain is donating $1,000 worth of school supplies to 1,300 teachers nationwide as part of the store’s “A Day Made Better” program, designed to support teachers who spend money out of their own pockets to buy classroom supplies.

Early in the morning, OfficeMax employees wheeled in a supply cart, a leather swivel chair, and a box containing classroom supplies—a prize totaling $1,000.

Administrators at elementary schools were asked to nominate a teacher based on his or her innovative approach to teaching and dedication and passion for education, according to a press release from the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The assistant principal at Robert Bruce Elementary nominated Verbryke over the summer.

The program name, “A Day Made Better,” is derived from the concept that OfficeMax can make at least one day better for educators by providing teachers with vital classroom supplies.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit adaymadebetter.com.

This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2009.