Hy-Vee gives $5,000 to Deerfield School

A sixth-grader’s name, a grandmother’s pen and a store manager’s choice all added up to a $5,000 gift Tuesday for Deerfield School.

The school received the money through Hy-Vee’s “Smiles for Education” program, a regional contest sponsored by the Iowa-based grocer.

John Olson, store director for Hy-Vee at Clinton Parkway and Kasold Drive, recently picked sixth-grader Chase Kopf’s name from a pile of more than 300 entries in a random drawing. Chase’s grandmother, Sherry Kopf, had filled out the form.

The program this year will pump $500,000 into schools in communities that have Hy-Vee stores.

After accepting a ceremonial check Tuesday on behalf of the school, Chase received something he could keep for himself: a $1,000 gift card from Comp-USA.