In my last column, I told you about all of the wonderful partnerships between businesses and education in Renton. I shared with you many of the local business owners who sponsored the Renton Chamber of Commerce’s Ahead of the Class Awards. Sadly, I omitted Joann Lee & Associates, who also sponsored the awards. Joann does so much for the community that I would be remiss in not rectifying my error! Sorry, Joann, and thanks for all you do!
I also promised to share one more story about some other businesses that deserve a huge shout out for quietly doing the right thing for one teacher and her students. As part of the chamber’s business and education exchange, Sabrina — the chamber’s vice president for administration — met an enthusiastic teacher named Becky Bennion, a kindergarten teacher at Campbell Hill Elementary School. Becky was interested in taking her students on a field trip and Sabrina inquired as to what she might like to do with the students; perhaps, she said, I could help connect you with a business that can help. Phone calls were made and before you knew it, Ms. Bennion had her field trip. And, I got to go along two weeks ago.
The 20 kindergartners were treated to quite the field trip — thanks to the generosity of the folks at Costco in Tukwila and the extreme generosity of Shuttle Express and Donita Leeson, who donated a van and the (patient!) driver who toted them there and back. Miranda, Theresa, and Kim were their amazing leaders for the day from Costco!
The students started their trip with a tour of the bakery! They washed their hands, donned hairnets, and were given strict instructions not to touch anything! They saw how all of the cakes and pies were made, frosted and pushed down the conveyor belt. Then, they moved on to the meat department. The roasting chickens seemed to be a particular favorite. “They smell so good,” one little girl said. Next stop was the receiving department. All of the little boys loved “Scooter the forklift driver.”
The backdrop for the field trip was for the kids to identify all of the types of paper they could see at Costco; this was part of their science curriculum lesson. The receiving department had lots of paper, they said.
And last but not least, a trip to Costco isn’t complete without a hot dog —and Costco came through there as well. Each child got a half hot dog (and for a few extra hungry little guys, two), a beverage and a cookie. I took a similar field trip at the same age, and I have never forgotten it. Thanks to the folks at Costco and Shuttle Express these kids likely will not as well!
Susan Bressler is an active member of a number of Renton organizations, including Piazza Renton. E-mail her at scbressler@comcast.net.
