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Education

SONIC Drive-In donates to Queen Creek, San Tan Valley schools

Posted 5/31/22

This month, SONIC® Drive-In donated $1.5 million to help fund local education needs through DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school …

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Education

SONIC Drive-In donates to Queen Creek, San Tan Valley schools

Posted

This month, SONIC Drive-In donated $1.5 million to help fund local education needs through DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers, according to a press release.

As part of SONIC's ongoing Limeades for Learning initiative, the brand matched 50% of each donation made to teacher requests on DonorsChoose for Teacher Appreciation Day on May 3, donating a total of $1.5 million. With this donation, SONIC helped to fully fund more than 9,000 projects from teachers across the country.

In Queen Creek, six teachers from five schools received a combined donation of $465:

  • Joelle Bacon at American Leadership Academy-STV for the project “Art Projects After COVID” for grades three to five
  • Megan Bond-Parsons at Eduprize School for the project “New and Exciting Adventures Await” for grades three to five
  • Stephanie Gray at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary School for the project “Flexible Seating and Sensory Tool”s for grades PreK to two
  • Brian Duncan at Queen Creek High School for the project “Bringing Psychology to Life for Years to Come” for grades nine to 12
  • Jolie Ann Brooks Varholdt at Queen Creek High School for the project “Classroom Treasure Box” for grades nine to 12
  • Heidi Hunsaker at Schnepf Elementary School for the project “Kindergarten Morning Stations” for grades PreK to two

In Chandler, 13 teachers from 11 schools received a combined donation of $2,838:

  • Megan Defrancesco at Andersen Elementary School for the project “Make Space for Reading!” for grades PreK to second
  • Monique Jaffe at Andersen Elementary School for the project “Explore Our Wondrous World” for grades three to five
  • Jennifer Wortzel at Basha High School for the project “Game On!” for grades nine to 12
  • Marisol Archie at Basha High School for the project “Pronunciation Skills in Action” for grades nine to 12
  • Sarah Huish at Bogle Junior High School for the project “New Classroom Whiteboards for Mathematical Collaboration” for grades six to eight
  • Maggie Shelton at Chief Hill Learning Center for the project “Clothing for Loaning” for grades nine to 12
  • Tina Chiu at CTA-Independence Campus for the project “Growing Our Brains with Books!” for grades PreK to second
  • Elizabeth Percy at Hancock Elementary School for the project “Virtual Reading Platform for Online Learners” for grades PreK to two
  • Amy Dawson at Kyrene De La Mirada Elementary School for the project “3D Printer and Supplies for Hands on Learning” for grades three to five
  • Catherine Koshick at Kyrene De Las Brisas Elementary School for the project “Koshick Flex Seating” for grades three to five
  • Emilee Taylor at San Marcos Elementary School for the project “First Time Teacher Collecting Supplies” for grades PreK to two
  • Randi Miller at Summit Academy K-6 for the project “SEL Curriculum” for grades PreK to two
  • Amy Shoot at Tarwater Elementary School for the project “Maker Space 2.0” for grades PreK to two

In Gilbert, 21 teachers from 13 schools received a combined donation of $2,108:

  • Zachary Robinson at Campo Verde High School for the project “3D Printing Fun” for grades nine to 12
  • Alexandra Fitzgerald at EDUPRIZE Charter School Gilbert for the project “Technology for Now and Later” for grades six to eight
  • Tricia Romero at EDUPRIZE Charter School Gilbert for the project “Having PE Outside is Fun in the Sun!” for grades PreK to two
  • Julie Ringle at Gateway Pointe Elementary School for the project “Phonics for All!” for grades PreK to two
  • Joyce Chiavacci at Gilbert Arts Academy for the project “Tables for Teamwork!” for grades PreK to two
  • Sheela Satpute at Gilbert Classical Academy for the project “Things to Help Our Library Work for Our Students” for grades nine-12
  • Danielle Needham at Gilbert Elementary School for the project “Adapted Literacy Activities for Speech Therapy!” for grades PreK to two
  • Claudia Mcneeley at Gilbert Elementary School for the project “Engage Me with Comfort to Learn!” for grades PreK to two
  • Kimberlie Rivera-Figueroa at Gilbert Elementary School for the project Inspiring “My Little Change Makers” for grades PreK to two
  • Kathryn Peters at Gilbert High School for the project “Science Projects in an ELL Classroom” for grades nine to 12
  • Hideki Kunitada at Highland High School for the project “Learning Japanese Writing With Calligraphy” for grades nine to 12
  • Laura Hardy at Highland High School for the project “Unified Theatre for Grades” nine to 12
  • Natalie Suffecool at Islands Elementary School for the project “An Organized Classroom” for grades six to eight
  • Natalie Suffecool at Islands Elementary School for the project “School Supplies 4 Sixth Grade!” for grades six to eight
  • Ashley Blakeley at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Relevant Resources for Engaging Students” for grades three to five
  • Jane Wood at Patterson Elementary School for the project “New Novels for Literature Circles” for grades six to eight
  • Melissa Lamancusa at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Interactive, Exciting Lessons” for grades three to five
  • Pam Loose at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Let Go of My Lego” for grades three to five
  • Pam Loose at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Basic Supplies for the Win” for grades three to five
  • Pam Loose at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Reading Rules” for grades three to five
  • Stephanie Low at Patterson Elementary School for the project “Exceptional Seats for Excelling Students” for grades three to five
  • Stefany Gustafson at San Tan Charter School - Power Campus (seven to 12) for the project “Explore Up Close!” for grades three to five
  • Madison Wilson at San Tan Charter School - Recker Campus for the project “Summer Fun!” for grades PreK to two
  • Jennifer Church at Sonoma Ranch Elementary School for the project “Planets! Asteroids! Comets! Learn About the Solar System!” for grades three to five

In Casa Grande, four teachers from four schools received a combined donation of $874:

  • Stacey Mackynen at Cottonwood Elementary School for the project “Spatial Reasoning for the Win!” for grades PreK to two
  • Amber Cordova at Desert Willow Elementary School for the project “STEM on Wheels!” for grades three to five
  • Dana Reeves at Mission Heights Prep High School for the project “Speaking of Success” for grades nine to 12
  • Alicia Behrens at Vista Grande High School for the project “Smart Art Plays its Part!” for grades nine to 12

"Limeades for Learning is an initiative that SONIC holds dear, and we're proud to partner with DonorsChoose on this important work," stated Lori Abou Habib, chief marketing officer of SONIC, in the release.

SONIC donates a portion of drink proceeds to support local public schools through Limeades for Learning, in partnership with education nonprofit, DonorsChoose. SONIC has donated more than $20 million to directly fund local education programs since 2009.

For those wishing to make an additional donation to a classroom project in their local community, visit DonorsChoose.org and donate to one or more of the thousands of public school teacher requests seeking support to provide students with educational resources.