by Helen Neuharth, President/CEO, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce
We have recently had several high school and college graduations and elementary school promotions, but it is never too soon to remind everyone of a program that will assist educators in the classroom. The program I have mentioned before and am mentioning again in this article is called Donors Choose, a nonprofit organization, where teachers can post their proposed projects and donors are able to choose the projects to which they would like to donate. When you visit www.DonorsChoose.org, it is easy for anyone to help a classroom in need.
At any time during the year, you can read about each of the projects, how it will impact the students, and you have the opportunity to make a donation to fund those projects. There are a number of Casa Grande and area teachers who have posted projects on the Donors Choose website.
There are other opportunities to volunteer and to make donations to our schools by contacting the schools directly. Individuals can also volunteer in the Mayor’s Reading Program by going to www.casagrandeaz.gov and linking to the Mayor’s Reading Program or by going to the Chamber’s website www.casagrandechamber.org, under the “Area Information” tab to find a number of links to volunteer opportunities throughout the community.
This year, as in the past several years, Culver’s of Casa Grande and the Chamber are working with a number of businesses on the School Supply Drive. The drive will begin July 10 and run through August 18. There will be locations to drop off donated supplies and a few locations where monetary contributions can be made. A complete listing of drop off locations will be finalized by the middle of June. For a listing of those locations, contact the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce or drop off donations at the Chamber, 575 N. Marshall St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Supplies needed include backpacks, No. 2 pencils, erasers, Crayola Crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, highlighters, dry-erase markers, reams of copy paper, black and white composition notebooks, reams of wide or college-ruled paper, pocket folders with prongs, washable Crayola markers, paint brushes and washable water color paints.
Supplies will be given to the Casa Grande Elementary School District for distribution to various students. For more information: contact Monica at 520-836-8881 or 734-660-5203 or Linda at the Chamber office, 520-836-2125.
The Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce is your community and business resource.
