Back in 2020, Atmos Energy selected Willow Bend Elementary as one of their partner schools as a way to give back to the community and support local students and staff. From volunteering at campus events to providing snacks and lunch for staff to reading to students, Atmos has continued to strengthen the partnership over the last five years in numerous ways.

“Atmos Energy has three core pillars of community engagement: local heroes and first responders, neighbors, and kids. All three of these groups touch an important part of each community and it’s important for Atmos Energy to be active in all of these,” said Jake Hantz, Atmos Energy Manager of Public Affairs.

Hantz says the Atmos volunteers loved having the opportunity to read and interact with the kindergarten students this week. To further their love of reading, Atmos donated 120 books so that each kindergarten student could continue reading at home. The students also received an Atmos Energy backpack along with plush toys of their mascots Gus the Gopher and Rosie the Skunk who help promote safety for digging and natural gas.

“In the third grade, there is a shift in children. They go from learning to read to reading to learn. At Atmos Energy, we are committed to supporting childhood literacy through our Safe and Thriving Communities initiative, helping tomorrow's leaders build foundational skills in reading,” said Hantz.

Skylar Dobson, Willow Bend Elementary Principal, says experiences like these are important and can have multiple benefits for the students, especially at a young age.

“This will have a lasting impact on our kindergarten students by fostering a love for reading and building their confidence as young learners. Having a book of their own to take home encourages literacy development and creates positive reading habits that will benefit them for years to come,” said Dobson. “Experiences like this are crucial because they show students that their community values their education and wants to see them succeed. When community members engage with students, it reinforces the importance of learning, builds meaningful connections, and inspires them to dream big.”

Dobson says Willow Bend is grateful for the Atmos partnership, and they are looking forward to the next Atmos visit.

“Having community partners like Atmos Energy invest in our students means the world to our campus. Their support helps create enriching opportunities that enhance student learning while reinforcing the message that education is a shared responsibility between schools and the community,” said Dobson.