Optimum donated $30,000 to teachers in the North Babylon Union Free School District at Wednesday's News 12 backpack giveaway.

Optimum Senior Vice President of Community Affairs Jennifer Ostrager said it's important for teachers to have funds necessary to have their classrooms ready ahead of the start of school.

"Teachers are creative, they inspire students, we want them to have the tools to be able to do that," Ostrager says.

Fifth grade teacher Jeanette Roberto says the money will go a long way to keep her students engaged.

"We always do so many hands on activities," Roberto says. "We're always hunting and gathering and it does come out of our pocket," Roberto says.

Optimum is News 12's sister company.