Riverhead Costco Donates Backpacks to Local Elementary School Students

Recently, the Riverhead Costco reached out to two of the local district’s schools to donate backpacks as part of their Backpack Program for the start of the new school year.

Costco managers, Sherry Jenks, Joe Cecere and Mike Santiago, personally transported and handed out over 845 backpacks -- one backpack for every student at both Phillips Avenue and the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.

Costco’s backpack giveaway is an annual outreach to the students who need it the most.

“Costco opened their doors in Riverhead in May of 2014,” Membership and Marketing Manager Sherry Jenks, who acted as a liaison between the schools and Costco, said. “As a result, we had twice the usual amount of backpacks to give out to students this year and, therefore, we were able to give backpacks to both Phillips Avenue and Roanoke Avenue students.”

At an assembly after receiving their backpaks, Phillips Avenue Principal Debra Rodgers told the students: “We talk about giving gifts and receiving gifts. Today Costco gave you the gift of a backpack. This is how a community cares for one another. Costco reached out to us with these gifts of backpacks and supplies. We want to thank them for caring enough to give. If you already have a backpack, maybe you can share this gift with someone who doesn’t have one.”

Photo caption 1: Superintendent Nancy Carney assists Costco managers, (L-R) Mike Santiago, Joe Cecere and Sherry Jenks (far right), who personally transported and handed out the backpacks.

Photo caption 2: Costco Managers Mike Santiago, Sherry Jenks and Joe Cecere in a sea of backpacks at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School.

Photo caption 3: Phillips Avenue Principal Debra Rodgers (far right) speaks to an assembly of Phillips Avenue Students after they received their new backpacks. (Also pictured L-R: Superintendent of Schools Nancy Carney with Costco Managers Mike Santiago, Joe Cecere and Sherry Jenks.)

Photos courtesy of the Riverhead Central School District