<\/p>\n
A few hundred Cortez students are receiving sturdy backpacks this year, thanks to an annual donation by Osprey.<\/p>\n
This is the third or fourth year the Cortez-based backpack company has taken on the project, according to Sam Mix, conduit of corporate outreach for Osprey. The packs were delivered throughout Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1 schools on Tuesday. They will be distributed to students according to need.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese backpacks can last them the rest of their school life,\u201d said Trina Lee, English language learners coordinator with Re-1.<\/p>\n
The program was originally \u201chatched\u201d by a few Osprey employees who had kids in the district, Mix said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey saw the need there,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s a fantastic opportunity to invest in the next generation in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The packs come with a lifetime guarantee, Mix said, meaning if a backpack has an issue that Osprey staff can\u2019t repair, the company will replace it free of charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our kids have our backpacks from last year, which is awesome,\u201d said Melissa Roberts, principal at Mesa Elementary School.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, a van carrying Osprey representatives including Talon, the Osprey mascot, traveled throughout town, delivering backpacks to the campuses. Student ambassadors were on hand to accept the packs.<\/p>\n
Last year, Osprey donated about 100 backpacks, and this year over 200 will be distributed to all schools, according to Lee. The packs can help boost students\u2019 self-esteem and make sure homework and other school items don\u2019t get lost, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re some of the best backpacks that you can buy,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re very, very lucky that they value education.\u201d<\/p>\n