The Elmira Teachers Association recently joined the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) in raising funds for the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund which is currently focused on supporting the citizens of Ukraine.
On behalf of Elmira Teachers Association, a donation has been sent to NYSUT Ukraine Disaster Relief Fund in the amount of $2,663.11. NYSUT will be partnering with relief agencies to make sure that the funds collected get to the people in areas that are most in need due to this humanitarian crisis.
Some Elmira school buildings individually raised funds that ETA matched – totaling $1,163.11, in addition to the $500 direct donation by ETA, ($500 – ETA Donation, $1163.11 – Building Donations and $1000 – ETA Match of Building Donations).
Broadway Elementary took it one step further and collected change from students. Students voluntarily raised over $700! Each classroom put out a jar and collected coins for an entire week.
“It was a great opportunity to teach our students important values, such as leadership, responsibility, goal setting, team building, and community engagement. It showed them how their donations will go towards making a positive difference in other lives who are having difficulties. Students were very excited to help and would unselfishly come to school each morning with their spare change and put it in their jars,” says Mrs. Donnalee Kelsey, 6th Grade Teacher of Broadway Elementary School.
NYSUT, with support of its members like Elmira Teachers Association, is committed to helping in times of need. Funded through voluntary donations, the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund provides relief for eligible losses stemming from man-made occurrences, such as an accidental house fire; natural disasters, such as weather-related storm damage; and federally declared qualified disasters.
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