Burlington Co. Makes Lasting First Impression ...

Almost fifty years ago, back in 1972, the Burlington Co, (formerly known as the Burlington Coat Factory) opened their first retail outlet in Burlington, NJ. selling wholesale outerwear to the public. Over the years the company has grown to over 700 stores nationwide with more than a dozen outlets right here in Massachusetts.

Along the way, the Burlington chain has increased their product line to accommodate the changing needs of the public and the company has always been involved with fundraisers and charitable donations.

In the past, Burlington has partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and launched the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive, collecting and distributing over 1 million coats to local charities.

Recently it was announced that the Burlington Co. would be opening a new location right here in Town at the Dedham Mall. Store Manager Jim Barry, himself a former Dedham High School alum, made arrangements to unveil "quite a surprise" at a recent assembly at the Avery Elementary School.

Avery Principal Clare Sullivan had the school`s teachers and students (grades 1-5) gathered in the gym, introducing the newly elected student council and praising 151 of her 291 total students for having perfect attendance for the first month of school, when Superintendent Mike Welch and Town Planner Jeremy Rosenberger entered the gym, followed by Burlington Dedham Store Manager Jim Barry, Regional Operations Manager Faye Smith and Regional LP Manager Roger Maderia. The group explained to the gathering that they had a surprise for them.

In "continuing to support our neighbors and their communities", the Burlington Co. was donating $10,000. to the Avery School!

The check was presented to Principal Sullivan, who in turn presented it to her teachers. "You can use these funds for whatever you need or whatever you`d like for your classrooms" Sullivan told the crowd, "I`d probably spend it all on boring stuff..."

We spoke briefly to Avery teachers Michelle Delehanty (grade 5) - Sara Follen (grade 1) - Erin McGowan (grade 4) after the crowd quieted a bit and were told the possibilities were endless with this amazing gift. Flexible seating options, new graphic novels and more non-fiction books, added indoor gym supplies and so much more was discussed.

Wishing the soon to open Burlington Store our best and knowing the Avery School will put this money to good use...