The Chicago Kimpton Hotels, in partnership with Daisie Foundation, raised over $25,000 to donate 500 backpacks and much-needed school supplies to students at the South Side Chicago school.
Hundreds of students at Englewood’s Perkins Bass Elementary School are ready for their first day of school thanks to an ongoing community-building partnership with Chicago’s Kimpton Gray Hotel, Allegro, Monaco, and Palomar Hotels and Daisie Foundation. Together, the organizations raised over $25,000 to buy and distribute 500 backpacks full of school supplies–one for each and every student at Perkins Bass.
Students and parents went to pick up their backpacks on August 26th, a week before the start of school. It was an all-day mini carnival event featuring face-painting, games for the students, bounce house, cotton candy, a DJ and so much more.
In an interview with ABC Chicago, Principal Carolyn Jones emphasized the connection between having school supplies and attendance on the first day of class. “Parents don’t want to send their children without what they need, and so this cuts down some of the burdens on those families, and everyone gets to show up on day one ready and prepared to start the school year.”
In addition to the school supplies, local artist Jason Farley also donated his time and talent to paint a mural inside the school. Several students participated in the creation of the mural by posing for it and helping paint it.
Prior to the event, Farley also helped fund the backpack drive by donating a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork that was featured in the Kimpton Gray Hotel’s living room lobby before being auctioned off to the highest bidder. The piece was inspired by Perkins Bass students and The Kimpton Hotels commitment to social responsibility.
