Chase to Distribute Backpacks and School Supplies to Sharpstown High School

Donations valued at more than $30,000 to benefit nearly 1,300 students

Just in time for the start of the new academic year, Chase and its partners have donated $30,000 in school supplies to the students of Sharpstown High School. The presentation to students will be made in the school auditorium at 7504 Bissonnet on Tuesday, August 27 at 8 a.m.

All the freshmen at this Apollo 20 turnaround campus will receive a new backpack full of schools supplies while students from 10th to 12th grade will get a variety of school supplies such as pens, highlighters, spiral notebooks and binders to ensure they are ready for a successful back to school.

This donation was made possible through a partnership between Chase and World Vision, an organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Funding partners also include donations from individuals and The Enrico & Sandra di Portanova Charitable Foundation.

“As the lead corporate donor of Apollo 20, we are pleased by the results achieved by the hard working leadership, team and students at Sharpstown High School,” Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for Chase Carolyn Watson said.  “By providing school supplies to the students, we aim to equip them with tools needed to succeed in school and affirm their hopes for the future.  We recognize that today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce.”

Located in southwest Houston, Sharpstown High School serves mostly economically disadvantaged students, many of whom are working either full or part time jobs and come from single-parent households.  This generous donation will save each student more than $20 on school supplies while ensuring they have the necessary supplies for their first week back at school.

“When schools, communities and the private sector come together wonderful things can happen for our kids,” said Sharpstown Principal Rob Gasparello.  “We are so appreciative of how Chase has stepped up to provide the needed school supplies that will support the students at Sharpstown High school on their successful journey to college or the career of their choice.”

Sharpstown High School was selected to receive this donation because of their exemplary work under the Apollo 20 program to empower students to achieve academic success, graduate from high school and advance to college.

Representatives from Chase, Genesys Works and Communities in Schools will speak at a motivational kick-off to the new academic year Tuesday before distributing the backpacks to the students. Chase provides grants to both Genesys Works and Community in Schools for programming benefitting Sharpstown High School students.