Cayuga Elementary School received a major boost for its classrooms on March 7 when Ross Stores presented the school with a $5,000 First Book Marketplace gift certificate during the grand opening ceremony of its newest location in Lake Grove.

The new Ross Dress for Less store, located in the Wegmans shopping center, marked its opening by supporting local education through a partnership with the nonprofit organization First Book. 

As part of the company’s national community outreach initiative, Ross collaborates with First Book to identify schools and educators in the communities where new stores open.

Through the program, Cayuga Elementary, a First Book member, was selected to receive a $5,000 gift certificate to purchase brand-new books for students.

Ross Stores has made community investment a cornerstone of its store openings, aiming to support literacy and provide students with access to high-quality books who may otherwise have limited resources.

Cayuga Principal Lori Onesto attended the ceremony to accept the donation, which will allow Cayuga to provide additional reading opportunities for students.

The Lake Grove Ross location officially opened in the busy retail corridor surrounding the Wegmans shopping center, bringing new jobs to the area while also investing in the local community through initiatives like the First Book partnership.

For Cayuga Elementary, the donation represents more than just new classroom materials; it is an investment in literacy, learning, and the future success of its students.