tuesday 11 August was a very special day for us at umano, as the whole team traveled for a local Giving Trip right down the road in our hometown of Athens, GA. Winterville Elementary School was the site of our first Athens-Clarke County Giving Trip. it couldn't have been a better choice. Winterville Elementary is a Title I Distinguished School that has made Adequate Yearly Progress for every year the program has been in existence.

it was only the second day of school, and the students gathered in an assembly to listen to Alex and our team share how kids like them can help provide a better education for kids everywhere, from Haiti to New York, Mexico to Nicaragua, and even at their own school right here in their hometown. from Pre-K to Fifth Grade every student eagerly participated in drawing with the raw confidence we look to showcase as PocketArt. each kid also received one of our brand-new custom umano backpacks, in either vibrant lime green or bright, juicy orange, filled with notebooks, pencils, crayons, and colored pencils to empower them for the new school year.

this Giving Trip is a personal one for the team, and was exciting for me as well. I grew up going to Clarke County schools, my parents still teach in them; even the Assistant Principal at Winterville was my middle school math teacher. being a part of this day was truly beyond words. Athens is not only home to the umano HQ, but also home to the 7^th highest poverty rate off all counties in Georgia. these kids attending Winterville Elementary are the perfect example of why we do what we do. we want to empower kids to reach for the stars and chase after their dreams, never give up and make a difference in their community. we’re excited to maintain and grow our Giving Program in our own backyard and know that you’ll enjoy the very special PocketArt that’s soon to come.

this is your chance. Rock a Pocket. Empower a Kid. for more photos from our hometown Giving Trip check out facebook.

xoxo, maegan (aka DJ M.Scottie) copywriter & blogger