October 30, 2025
March Newsletter
The Walraven Story: Over a Century of Supporting Schools
Walraven has been a trusted name in schools for over 100 years. It started in 1918 when our founder,
A.T. Walraven, invented and patented protective textbook covers to help preserve school books for future generations. A year later, the Walraven Book Cover Company was born, providing durable covers to school districts across Texas.
From those humble beginnings, Walraven has evolved into a leader in in-school youth marketing. Our mission remains rooted in supporting schools while helping businesses connect with their communities. Generations of students have benefited from Walraven products, generously donated by sponsors, creating a legacy of community goodwill.
Today, Walraven continues to innovate while staying true to its roots—making a difference for schools, students, and sponsors alike. We’re proud to carry on the tradition that began with A.T. Walraven over a century ago.
Thank you for being part of our story and for helping us make a lasting impact in schools nationwide!
Client Spotlight: How One Personal Injury Firm is Maximizing Car Tag Sponsorship
For one personal injury law firm, partnering with Walraven has been a great way to support local schools while reinforcing their brand's presence. Here’s how they’re using Walraven carpool tags as part of their marketing strategy–
Why Choose Walraven?
“We love how Walraven works with local schools to provide
something they truly need at no cost to the school.
Being a part of our community is important to us, and
Walraven makes that goal a
reality in a very seamless way.”
Brand Awareness at Its Best
“It’s about creating awareness and showing our involvement
in the community. Supporting local schools while advertising
our services is the best of both worlds!”
What Makes Walraven Stand Out?
Walraven offers a distinctive way to blend brand awareness with
community impact. By sponsoring car tags, firms can connect with
local families and build trust in the community.
Reach out to learn more about car tag sponsorship opportunities!
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Make the Most of Your Sponsorship in the Final Months of the School Year
Spring offers a flurry of school activities with plenty of opportunities to show your community support!
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Consider sponsoring a field-day activity, an end-of-year celebration, or setting up a branded booth at a spring carnival! Providing giveaways at events like these keeps your brand top-of-mind for families in your community.
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Teacher Appreciation Week (early May) is also a prime opportunity to show gratitude to educators. Provide refreshments, sponsor a lunch, or contribute small gifts that reinforce your commitment to the school.
With just a few months left in the school year, now is the time to maximize your sponsorship efforts and make a lasting impression!
Our Custom Calendar Magnets Are a
Game-Changer
Walraven has been a trusted name in schools for over 100 years. It started in 1918 when our founder,
A.T. Walraven, invented and patented protective textbookcovers to help preserve school books for future generations. A year later, the Walraven Book Cover Company was born, providing durable covers to school districts across Texas.
From those humble beginnings, Walraven has
evolved into a leader in in-school youth marketing.
Our mission remains rooted in supporting schools
while helping businesses connect with their
communities. Generations of students have
benefited from Walraven products, generously
donated by sponsors, creating a legacy of
community goodwill.
Today, Walraven continues to innovate while staying
true to its roots—making a difference for schools,
students, and sponsors alike. We’re proud to carry
on the tradition that began with A.T. Walraven over
a century ago.
Thank you for being part of our story and for helping
us make a lasting impact in schools nationwide!
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Lanyards: A Simple Yet Essential Safety Tool
for Schools
More middle schools are requiring students to wear ID badges
as an additional security measure. Ensuring students have a
visible ID helps staff quickly identify who belongs on campus,
which adds an extra layer of protection.
Our durable lanyards make it easy for students to keep
their IDs accessible at all times, reducing lost badges and
streamlining entry into the school.
Lanyards present a valuable sponsorship opportunity for
local businesses. By donating lanyards, companies gain
visibility while supporting school safety - a win-win!
Contact Walraven to explore our custom lanyards
and other sponsorship opportunities!
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Lessons Learned from Branding Giant, Nike
In his article, "How Consultants Almost Destroyed Nike's Brand", recently published on LinkedIn, Erik Mashkilley explores how Nike’s shift toward prioritizing data-driven decision-making and short-term metrics over long-term brand equity led to significant losses for the retail giant.
Under the influence of hired consultants, Nike moved from bold, inspiring campaigns to transactional digital marketing, which eroded its brand’s emotional appeal and allowed competitors to gain traction.
Walraven recognizes that branding is about more than just numbers—it’s about emotional connection and building long-term loyalty. That’s why we focus on fostering genuine partnerships between businesses and schools, creating lasting connections that go beyond a logo.
When businesses invest in their communities, they build trust—and with trust comes brand loyalty, a company’s most valuable asset in the long run.
Employee Spotlight: Erin Crofford - Director of School Recruitment
This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on
Erin Crofford, Director of School Recruitment!
A Kansas City native, Erin moved to Texas after earning her
BA in Communication Studies and later became a K-12 teacher.
Now based in Austin with her husband and three kids, she balances
work, family, and her love for yoga, Pilates, and lake days!
To help you get to know Erin better, we asked her a few fun questions:
What has surprised you the most about working at Walraven?
It is a complete 50/50 partnership—the schools love the donations just
as much as the sponsors enjoy the exposure.
If Walraven had a mascot, what would it be?
Some sort of doodle or shaggy dog—several of us have doodles that
work alongside us every day as part of our support system.
If you could describe Walraven in one word, what would it be?
Win/win (Okay, two words—but they’re perfect!)
What’s a hobby or activity you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
I would love to be a yoga instructor in my next life!
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken, and what was the outcome?
Moving our family to another city—it turned out to be the best decision we’ve ever made!
What was the first job you ever had?
Dog walker!
We’re so grateful to have Erin as part of the Walraven team!