PENSACOLA, Fla.– Members of Pen Air Credit Union's (PenAir) Share It program have contributed over $5,300 to support the Santa Rosa Education Foundation this year.
Through the Share It program, PenAir donates .01¢ for every signature-based debit card transaction made by participating members at no cost to the members. This initiative allows members to extend their support to teachers in Santa Rosa County, Baldwin County, Ala., or Escambia County, Fla.
The credit union said Share It funds are being utilized to strengthen Santa Rosa Education Foundation's recognition and retention programs, including Teacher Grants and Teacher of the Year.
Last year, the Teacher Grant program awarded $55,000 to SRCSD teachers for innovative projects spanning STEM Education, Literacy, Career & Technical Education, and Artistic Literacy.
The Foundation's goal is to distribute $60,000 in grants this year.
The Teacher of the Year program allows SREF to acknowledge and reward exceptional educators across the district, culminating in the Golden Apple Awards on March 8th, 2023, at The Saenger Theater. This celebration highlights the Florida Teacher of the Year nominee, individual school representatives, and all educators in the district, showcasing their rich learning environments.
"PenAir's Share It program is another way we're making a difference in our local schools,” said Casey Brueske, community education development specialist. “These students and educators need our help now more than ever. We're thrilled to partner with the Santa Rosa Education Foundation to enrich the lives of Santa Rosa County students."
Share It members raised an impressive $5,309.27 for the Santa Rosa Education Foundation, reinforcing PenAir's commitment to educational excellence, the credit union said.
The Share It program's total contribution for the 2023-2024 school year reached $22,054.71 across the three participating districts, providing invaluable resources for educational enhancement.