Hatton School Chosen as BJ’s Wholesale Club Partner

Hatton Elementary School will soon have the opportunity to purchase resources or implement new program, thanks to a partnership with BJ’s Wholesale Club.

The company, which has a location along Spring Street, selected the Southington-based school to receive a $500 check as part of the 18th annual Adopt-A-School program. The school was one of just 13 selected in the state to be named a partner. Across the nation, BJ's has named 217 schools as part of the 2013 program.


“It’s donations like these from the community that help us provide opportunities that we normally wouldn’t be able to consider in our operating budget,” Southington School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. said in a conversation earlier this year. “The dedication and partnership we have with our community and organizations throughout Southington are invaluable in helping provide quality opportunities for our students.”

Staff at the school had not determined exactly how the money would be spent. The funds are eligible for use on fieldtrips, special events, equipment or curriculum enhancements. The school will also receive a one-year membership to BJs, according to Kelly McFalls of BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Erardi said the district has been fortunate to have partners across the community, including receiving annual donations from several businesses, residents and the Southington Education Foundation.

Jessica Newman, assistant vice president of community affairs for BJ’s said supporting educational enhancement has been an area of focus for BJ’s over the past several decades now.

The Adopt-A-School program was founded with support for one community school in 1996 and has since expanded to 15 states, according to the company website. In that time, the company has been able to provide support to more than 2,000 different schools and has given scholarships in the amount of $1.6 million.

“Our hope is that the schools use this business-to-school partnership to help provide students with opportunities they may not otherwise have,” Newman said.

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