Mountain America Supports PTAs in Arizona with COVID-19 Relief Grants
Mountain America Credit Union, a Proud National PTA Sponsor, provided $15,000 to National PTA for COVID-19 relief grants. The funds helped PTAs in Arizona continue efforts to meet the critical needs of students, families and teachers due to COVID-19. In all, National PTA awarded six grants of $2,500 each to six PTAs across Arizona to help continue important programs and resources.
The PTA at Broadmor Elementary in Tempe, Arizona, used the funds to support the Learning Patch program, a gardening and environmental education initiative that engages trained parents and master gardeners to teach lessons in the garden. When schools went remote because of COVID-19, Broadmor wanted to find a way to continue to teach from the garden. The grant helped pay for video equipment, lesson materials and the final year-end celebration.
In Litchfield Park, Arizona, Scott Libby Elementary PTA created science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) take-home kits and purchased classroom STEM and LEGO® kits. The take-home kits were designed to be accessible for all children and included a variety of activities such as balloon poppers, catapults, birdhouses and egg drop kits. Students were encouraged to create the kits with family members and submit photos and videos for display on social media, increasing engagement. Scott Libby PTA also surprised teachers with reusable STEM kits during Staff Appreciation Week.
The Eagle Ridge Elementary Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in Phoenix, Arizona, wanted to combat challenges with food insecurity, technology and mental health. After having a successful drive-through event for their holiday reading program, they created a drive-by health and wellness fair. The event grew to involve the whole community: fire and police departments, Phoenix Public Library, a reduced-cost clinic and others, all offering free resources and information for families. In addition, students completed a scavenger hunt for prizes, and free meals were provided to ease families’ food burden for one evening.
In addition to supporting these COVID-19 relief grants as well as state and local PTA initiatives, Mountain America also supports National PTA’s leadership development initiatives.
Mountain America also supports classroom learning with the Mountain America Education Grant Program. Since 2016, Mountain America has awarded grants to support learning-based projects in K–12 classrooms. For the 2021-2022 school year, Mountain America will award ten grants up to $1,500 each to teachers and school leaders who are Mountain America members. Applications for the 2021-2022 grant program will be available at macu.com/scholarships beginning on Monday, August 16, 2021.
