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| Laura Immel (Left) Victoria Cooper (Right) |
We Love Rainier WA Delivers Annual SMART Drive Supplies to Rainier Elementary Teachers
RAINIER, Wash. — Classrooms at Rainier Elementary School received a welcome boost this week as community volunteers Laura Immel and Victoria Cooper delivered hundreds of dollars’ worth of essential classroom supplies, purchased through the annual SMART Drive organized by We Love Rainier WA.
The SMART Drive—short for Supplies, Materials And Resources for Teachers—is a yearly initiative dedicated to ensuring educators have the tools they need to support student success. This year, We Love Rainier WA spent $1,400 to fulfill specific supply requests submitted directly by Rainier Elementary teachers.
Immel and Cooper personally delivered the supplies, which included classroom basics such as pencils, notebooks, art materials, organization tools, and other resources that often come out of teachers’ own pockets.
Laura and Victoria are strong supporters of the Rainier School District. This project, along with the Dictionaries for Third Graders, means a lot to Laura and Victoria, as they both went to school in Rainier and graduated from Rainier High School. Their mothers both attended school in Rainier as well. Laura taught school in Rainier and Victoria worked for the school district.
“This is one of our most meaningful projects each year,” said Immel. “Teachers give so much of themselves to their students, and this is one way our community can give something back.”
The SMART Drive (Supplies, Materials And Resources for Teachers) reflects the organization’s mission to strengthen the community through direct, practical support. By purchasing requested items rather than collecting random donations, the program ensures every dollar goes toward materials teachers will use immediately in their classrooms.
Cooper said the experience of delivering the supplies is always inspiring. “You can see the appreciation on the teachers’ faces,” she said. “It reminds us how much these small acts of support matter—not just for teachers, but for every student they serve.”
Teachers at Rainier Elementary expressed gratitude for the continued support, noting that programs like the SMART Drive help create richer learning environments and reduce the financial burden many educators quietly carry.
We Love Rainier WA has hosted the SMART Drive annually for several years, with funding made possible through community donations and local fundraising efforts. The organization hopes to continue expanding the program in the future to meet growing classroom needs.
As another school year begins, the delivery serves as a reminder of the strong connection between Rainier’s schools and its community—one built on shared commitment, generosity, and belief in the future of its students.
Residents interested in supporting future SMART Drives or other community initiatives can learn more through We Love Rainier WA’s outreach and volunteer programs on our FaceBook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weloverainierwa or. Contact George Johnson (360) 292-5363 or email: weloverainierwa@gmail.com
"Children may be 30% of our population, but they are 100% of our future." Gary Edwards
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