Amazon donates school supplies to Trenton school

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- It was a surprising special delivery for some school teachers in Trenton on Tuesday.

In fact, it was like Christmas came a few months early as teachers at Grant Elementary received boxes filled with over $11,000 worth of school supplies donated by Amazon.

"It feels like Christmas morning. Thank you very much to Amazon and this will make a difference in my classroom," said teacher Sharon Grube.

The online retailer selected just one school in New Jersey and teachers at Grant, considered one of the city schools in greatest need, are receiving everything from pencil sharpeners and cleaning supplies to Kindles and other high-tech classroom aids.

"Every single item in this box is going to be used. The Kindle will help bring out stories to life for the classroom. I mean it's a win-win situation," said teacher Ana Smith.

"Makes it a lot easier for our job. It's exciting for the kids, makes the learning stick with the kids so they remember it. So they're going to be excited, we are really excited," said teacher Archie Jones.

"It's an opportunity to thank the teachers and to really support them and show that we care," said Anne Laughlin of Amazon.

It's estimated that nationwide many teachers spend between $400 and $1,500 of their own money each year to buy supplies for their classrooms.

"Last year I probably spent $1,000 to decorate the room and pencils, pens, sharpeners and those types of things," said teacher Cheryl Long.

The teachers arrived thinking the gathering was a staff meeting. But it turned out to be a wonderful surprise that will help them and some of the students most in need in this financially strapped district.

"They pay so much out of their own pocket to bring in supplies so being able to hand them these materials through Amazon is amazing," said principal Alfonso Llano.