A deserving DeKalb County School recently received a sweeping makeover, thanks to the Georgia United Foundation.
On July 19 and July 20, more than 150 volunteers, donor partners and team members gathered to improve the learning environment of Toney Elementary School in Decatur as part of Georgia United Foundation’s 6th annual School Crashers program.
Toney Elementary received extensive outdoor improvements, including a new outdoor classroom furnished with whiteboard and benches, shade canopy with picnic tables in the school colors, courtyard STEM garden with native vegetation, crushed stone walking path, fencing, fresh mulch, landscaping, parking lot refresh, painting and custom murals.
Indoors, a mascot mural will welcome the 350 students and 45 faculty members when the 2019-2020 school year begins in August.
Students will enjoy a refreshed media center with new Mohawk carpeting, fresh paint and flexible furniture, an updated computer lab and new red cafeteria chairs. The faculty will return to new furniture in the reception area, Mohawk carpeting in the faculty lounge and organied classrooms and storage clossets.
In addition, the faculty will show their school pride with new logo apparel donated by the credit union.
>>Related: Georgia United Credit Union wins national recognition for School Crashers Program<<
Dr. Karen Dukes, the teacher who nominated Toney Elementary, said she was ecstatic with the number of project enhancements that were accomplished.
“I’m thrilled with Toney Elementary was chosen as the top School Crashers recipient out of the hundreds that applied,” Dukes said. “I requested an outdoor classroom and am beyond excited that students will also have a revitalized courtyard and inspiring outdoor learning spaces to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome the students back to school!”
Georgia United Credit Union extends its gratitude to the many sponsors and donor partners that helped make this year’s event a success, including:
- Mohawk
- The Home Depot Foundation
- J.R. Hobbs Co.
- Allied Solutions
- Smart Source
- Peachtree Wealth Strategies
- Experian
- Peachtree Benefit Group
- Q2
- DeKalb County School District
- Diamond Communications Solutions
- Coca-Cola
- Chick-fil-A Foundation
- CUNA Mutual Group
- Ultimate Software
- University of Georgia Extension
- Signs by Tomorrow
Georgia United is also appreciative of Atlanta & Company, Fox 5, Channel 2 and The Champion Newspaper, who helped share the School Crashers story with the community.
In addition to Toney Elementary, five additional schools will receive smaller grants — called “mini crashes” — and four more schools will receive carpet grants from Mohawk Flooring. Details can be found at gucufoundation.org/schoolcrashers.
Also featured in: Fox 5, CUSocialGood
Leave a Reply