New Country and Staples Collecting Donations to Restock Classroom Shelves
For the past three years, New Country MINI of Hartford has been making the holidays warmer for school children by sponsoring a winter clothing drive. But this year, the Hartford Public School District has asked the dealership for art supplies instead to replenish classrooms that are running low on resources. From now through December 20th, the New Country MINI 4th Annual “Stuff the Mini to the Max” program will collect supplies to give city students the gift of creativity this season.
“Due to delays and severe cutbacks in both the City and State budgets, our art teachers are in critical need of basic supplies to conduct their classes,” explained Marta Bentham, Director of Family Services & Ombudsman of Hartford Public Schools’ Welcome Center. “We are grateful to New Country Motor Cars for continuing to help our students in any way they can.”
The teachers’ wish list includes:
- Markers – Sharpies, Crayola
- Paper of all kinds – construction, drawing, cardstock, tissue, posterboard
- Paint – tempera, watercolor, acrylic
- Clay – Model Magic, Plaster of Paris
- Glue - liquid and sticks
- Pencils – colored and regular
- Fibers – pipe cleaners, felt, yarn in various colors (3 of each color)
Donations will be accepted at the New Country MINI showroom located at 236 Reverend Moody Overpass in Hartford. The items will then be distributed to students at the Hartford school’s Welcome Center on Thursday, December 21st.
To make donating even easier, Staples office supply stores are serving as collection sites. MINI’s will be parked at Bishops Corner, 2550 Albany Avenue in West Hartford, Putnam Bridge Plaza 49 Putnam Blvd in Glastonbury, Berlin Turnpike in Newington and Tri-City Plaza in Vernon for shoppers to drop off supplies.
“We are super grateful to Staples, which is once again graciously providing a space for us to park our MINIs,” said Sam Herman, Sales Manager of New Country MINI. “The holidays are truly about sharing and we want to ensure every student can experience an education in the arts.”
New Country MINI of Hartford is Connecticut’s foremost authorized MINI Cooper dealer offering top-notch new and used Mini sales, service, parts and accessories. Visit the brand new showroom at 236 Reverend Moody Overpass, Hartford CT or www.newcountrymini.com for more information.
PHOTO: Last year, Tim Parker, Vice President of New Country Motor Cars, Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Hartford Public School Superintendent, and others helped Hartford students choose a new coat collected during New Country’s 3rdAnnual “Stuff the MINI to the Max” campaign. This year’s art supply collection runs through December 20th.