AT&T Aspire 'Flash Funds' All DonorsChoose.org Projects In Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Counties

CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Teachers and students in the Lowcountry had something to celebrate today as AT&T Aspire announced it "flash funded" all education projects listed by teachers on the crowdfunding site DonorsChoose.org in Charleston, Berkley and Dorchester counties.

In total, 130 projects, requested by 111 teachers at 64 schools, were fulfilled through a contribution of $70,076. They encompass a wide range of needs, including:

• Gardening supplies and a portable greenhouse;
• iPads, laptops and a 3-D printer;
• percussion instruments, student guitars, and violin strings;
• books, crayons, and scholastic magazine subscriptions; and
• carpet for a reading area in an elementary classroom and transportation for a college visit for high schoolers.

Cumulatively, more than 13,000 students will be directly impacted by the projects.

"We know students need the right resources and tools to succeed, so we are thrilled to work with DonorsChoose.org in fulfilling these projects," said Jack Mitchell, AT&T Regional Director of External Affairs. "This is one more way that AT&T Aspire is helping students thrive in classrooms across the country."

AT&T Aspire is the company's signature education initiative that invests in students today – at home, in the classroom, at work – to prepare them for success tomorrow. AT&T previously supported several DonorsChoose.org initiatives as part of its $350 million planned commitment to education.  

"We're proud to call AT&T a partner, and we're grateful for their overwhelming support of Charleston-area classrooms," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. "This contribution will mean a great deal to the teachers and students they've helped."

Local Reactions

Sen. Sean Bennett (R-Dorchester) – "Our children are the future of our state and our community. Regardless of whether we have children in the schools, we all have a stake in their educational success and a responsibility to support the work of their teachers. AT&T's involvement with this DonorsChoose program shows what can happen when the private sector is willing to make a difference in the community."

Sen. Paul Campbell (R-Berkeley) – "Every day, across the Lowcountry, teachers are touching students' hearts and inspiring their dreams. It is exciting to think how this flash fund project from AT&T and DonorsChoose is going to impact lives and futures throughout our region."

Sen. Marlon Kimpson (D-Charleston) – "I am convinced that, for every student, the journey to a successful future begins when a teacher ignites a spark of intellectual curiosity and academic achievement. The projects which will be funded and the needs which will be met because of DonorsChoose and AT&T are shining examples of the connectivity between corporate responsibility and our schools. I am thrilled that our district will be benefitting from this initiative."

Nancy J. McGinley, Superintendent, Charleston County School District – "This announcement means teachers will get the materials and supplies they need to enhance learning opportunities for children. Public money never can fill all of the needs. So many times our hard working teachers reach into their own pockets to buy the extra supports that school district budgets can not provide. The Lowcountry is so lucky to have a partner like AT&T which not only values education, but also uses their corporate resources to invest in our children and support our teachers."

Morris Ravenell, Superintendent, Dorchester School District Four – "A quality education is something that could positively change a life forever. So thanks to AT&T and DonorsChoose for caring about education and helping the students of Dorchester School District Four get a step closer to that ultimate goal."

Rodney Thompson, Superintendent, Berkeley County Schools – "One of our goals in Berkeley County Schools is to build family, community, and business support that will generate advocacy for our schools and our school district. We are thrilled to have supporters in our community such as AT&T and Donors Choose that understand that schools alone cannot be successful. When our classroom teachers are supported, students win."

About DonorsChoose
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need.  At this nonprofit website, teachers at half of all the public schools in America have created project requests, and more than a million people have donated $265 million to projects that inspire them. All told, 12 million students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology, and other resources that they need to learn. 

About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement or address community needs. In 2013, more than $130 million was contributed or directed through corporate-, employee-, social investment- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T's signature education initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism and mentoring.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best global wireless coverage, based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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