This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

Grammy winning recording-artist and Oscar winning actor, Common, took a break from his busy schedule to surprise the students of PS 111 in New York City.

Partnering with Burlington Stores and Adopt-A-Classroom, Common and his mom – a retired school teacher — presented a $10,000 check to the school.  The money will be used to buy sorely needed school supplies for the students.

According to Adopt-A-Classroom, teachers spend on average over $700 out of their own pockets just to supply their students with what they need per year.

Common, who is passionate about education and our youth, wanted to help.  “We know teachers are underpaid in many ways and the fact that they have to spend their own money on supplies is ridiculous,” he said.

Consumers nationwide can join the effort by donating to Adopt-A-Classroom at Burlington Stores through August 18th.