Wholesale Supply Group formalized a long-time partnership with Donald P. Yates Primary School this week as part of the BEST (Business & Education Serving Together) program of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

The new partners signed the agreement in Wholesale Supply’s showroom at 885 Keith St. NW.

“The Chamber’s BEST program unites the efforts of a business and a school to strengthen the quality of the educational process and to increase learning opportunities for everyone involved in the partnership,” Sherry Crye, director of workforce development, said. “We’re glad to make the relationship between Wholesale Supply and Yates an official part of our BEST program and recognize their activities and contributions.”

Wholesale Supply Group, a member of the Chamber of Commerce since Jan. 10, 1978, has been an unofficial partner with Yates Primary for many years.

Lloyd Rogers, president of the local electrical, plumbing and HVAC supply group, has been involved with the school since his grandson Heath, now 19, was a student at Yates.

“Mr. Rogers gave money to purchase four computers for Heath’s classroom,” Yates Principal Carolyn Ingram-Franitza recalled. “Since that time, Wholesale Supply has been very gracious with their contributions to purchase additional computers and several Activi-Boards.”

The business also provides Character Education t-shirts to uses as incentives for students who represent the character word of the month.

“Anytime that I have had a great need for our school, I knew that I could go to Mr. Rogers and he would make a contribution toward that need,” the principal said.

Lisa Rogers Sullivan, daughter of Lloyd Rogers, addressed the value of the partnership program. “We feel it allows schools to have some items to work with that otherwise wouldn’t be possible or as easy for them to get. We’re glad to be one of the many businesses and individuals in Cleveland that have donated funds to help purchase things like computers and Activi-Boards.”

Ms. Sullivan, whose son’s classroom needs helped prompt the beginning of the partnership, now has a second-grader, Gage, at Yates and volunteers every week.

“Parental involvement is one of our greatest assets,” said Yates Principal Carolyn Ingram-Franitza. “The partnership with Wholesale Supply not only represents a business that works with us but one that is personally involved because of a parent who has a personal interest as well.”

Ingram-Franitza noted that about 25 parents volunteer at Yates on a daily basis for the 378 students, Pre-K through second grade.

She added, “I look forward to a continued relationship with Wholesale Supply, both from an educational/financial standpoint and from a family that takes a personal interest.”

Schools in the Bradley County and Cleveland City School Systems have one or more local business partners as part of the BEST program, which is a workforce development initiative of the Chamber of Commerce.

For information about the partnership program, call Sherry Crye, director of workforce development, at 472-6587.