The Education Alliance is accepting online donations at FloodsOfSupport.com to offer teachers throughout West Virginia resources for classroom needs in the wake of recent torrential flooding.
Amelia Courts, president/CEO of the Education Alliance, says 100 percent of all donations will go directly to teachers in schools severely impacted by historic flooding. “We are launching this fundraising campaign in collaboration with the West Virginia Board of Education, West Virginia Department of Education and Leadership West Virginia’s Education Committee to assist teachers who need to restock and resupply materials and classroom items that are not covered by insurance or other emergency funding,” says Courts.
“Our staff has worked closely this week with each of the impacted counties to determine the extent of damages to our schools. Our initial assessment revealed we have 25 schools with damages ranging from minor to severe, said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano. “We are proud to collaborate with the Education Alliance in this effort as we recognize the rebuilding process will be difficult. I hope this will assist our teachers as they prepare for the upcoming school year.”
A full assessment of damages to schools and classrooms is in process, according to Courts. “Even without the flood disaster, teachers often bear the pressure and personal costs for classroom supplies and instructional materials,” she said. According to the National School Supply and Equipment Association, in 2014 U.S. teachers spent an average of $500 personally. The study found 92 percent of teachers purchased classroom supplies with their own money and 85 percent bought instructional materials they felt their students needed.
The campaign is designed to offer educational recovery resources “as swiftly as the historic rainfall hit the Mountain State,” said Courts, who confirmed “FloodsOfSupport.com” is live and is taking donations. Teacher applications for assistance will be available on the website as early as July 10. Individual teachers or groups of teachers can submit a short application beginning on July 15. Courts said all eligible requests will be processed as funds become available with oversight by The Education Alliance Finance Committee.
Donations can be made to support general classroom needs or earmarked for technology through a partnership with Leadership West Virginia Education Committee. She said the FloodsOfSupport campaign will continue through the duration of 2016 to ensure as many teachers and students have resources for classroom educational tools.
