WEST ALLIS – ibMilwaukee
organized a community-wide back-to-school initiative to support Pershing Elementary School.
As part of “Operation Backpack” all 300
students at Pershing Elementary, the majority of whom are low income, received a new backpack and all required school supplies. The West
Allis-based industrial supplier and distributor partnered with several local organizations to help local students kick-off the 2016-17 school year.
“ibMilwaukee values education. It is a hallmark of our business philosophy, as we want all our employees to succeed at work and at home,” said CJ Lange, president and CEO of ibMilwaukee. “To reinforce this message within our community, and ensure local students have the tools necessary for academic success, we donated 300 fully-stocked backpacks for every Pershing
Elementary School student. We look forward to hearing how these tools help each student strive to be their best and create new ideas that will launch their love of learning.”
*Operation Backpack* was the brainchild of ibMilwaukee, a West-Allis based
industrial supplier and distributor, who organized local members in their business network to create the community-based back-to-school initiative
and celebration.
Partners included: Essendant, Jersey Mike’s, Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD), Pershing Elementary staff, QPS Employment Group, Top Promotions, West Allis Public Library, West Allis-West Milwaukee School District and the West Milwaukee Police Department. There were games and music with local mascots Bango and
Roscoe for the students and their families, as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with firefighters from MFD to help set a positive tone for
the new school year.
“What an extraordinary opportunity to partner with a strong local company that truly supports their community,” said Steve Harris, principal of Pershing Elementary School. “ibMilwaukee does amazing things for their employees, and has now done an amazing thing for our students, and our school. The overwhelming support from ibMilwaukee and community sponsors is encouraging and inspirational. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new school year!”
