Teacher Surprised with $1,000 Gift

It was just after 10 a.m. and Village Park Elementary School kindergarten teacher Mariealana Collins had no idea what was about to happen.

Complete with a cart featuring a squeaky wheel, Pennsbury staff and employees from OfficeMax walked toward down one of Village Park's hallways. The group of cheery souls were heading to room number 7 to announce that Collins was randomly selected to receive $1,000 of basic school supplies.

Principal Helen Stopper was the first one in.

Less than a minute later, the cart topped with the large box of supplies entered the room and presented to a shocked Collins.

"I'm so overwhelmed. I thought I'd be great to get the prize, but I didn't think I would," said the veteran Pennsbury teacher.

Tony Nucera, OfficeMax vice president of sales for the region, said the $1,000 gift was a "wonderful way to celebrate teachers and students." Village Park, located in Falls Township, was one of 1,000 schools across the nation to win supplies.

Stopper has known Collins was randomly selected to win the gift since last spring. The principal said not announcing the good news ahead of Tuesday "the hardest thing."

OfficeMax and AdoptAClassroom.org gift the supplies to help teachers, like Collins and her classroom aide, who often purchase classroom necessities using their own money.