An organization in Perry has partnered with a corporation to celebrate teachers and staff.

Perry’s Academic Cultural and Enrichment Services (PACES) program was contacted by United Way of Central Iowa on behalf of Casey’s General Store to provide 150 “teacher kits” for the Perry School District teachers, paraeducators, administrative assistants and PACES staff. PACES Program Director Mary Hillman tells Raccoon Valley Radio this idea started with the local Casey’s manager, who contacted the corporate office, who then reached out to United Way, who referred to the PACES program to help with the service project.

Hillman points out having these kinds of partnerships makes for special occasions to happen where PACES can help provide local support.

“We are successful because of our partnership with the school day. We want to be there to support those teachers. I have great support from the two (elementary) principals (including) Mr. (Ryan) Marzen and Mrs. (Morgan) Rinker, along with all of the teaching staff, along with the librarians, along with food service, janitorial staff, the bus department. We just work with everyone, the tech department. So if we don’t have that support, we’re just not able to do well.”   

Hillman says there are a variety of items such as school supplies, among others, that are included in the goodie bags that were donated by Casey’s.