For a generation of students, the DonorsChoose community has helped level the playing field with one simple idea: If teachers can share what their students need, people will jump in and help. Together, we've filled schools with $1.7 billion in vital supplies.
In honor of our 25th anniversary, we’ve spent the spring honoring, celebrating, and surprising educators from all across the country. From gift code giveaways to gatherings with special guests, these 25th anniversary celebrations were our thank you to our teachers, supporters, and collaborators for 25 years of classroom joy and funding.
A Sweepstakes Surprise for 51 Teachers
To celebrate 25 years of classroom joy, opportunities, and vital resources in every corner of the country, some of our most dedicated supporters cooked up a special surprise for teachers. The 25th Anniversary Circle of Donors surprised 51 educators (one teacher from every state and Washington, DC!) with a $2,500 DonorsChoose gift code. Winners were announced during the April 2 online celebration.
These classroom-changing gifts were made possible by the 25th Anniversary Circle of Donors: Amy Dobson, Andrew Ching, Andy Elisburg, Ann R. Baruch, AP from New Jersey, Barbara Lawson, Barry & Cindy Breen, Beth S. from Texas, Beth Surmon, Beverly Jenkins, Bruce & Christine Arians, Chip Prince, Christine Helwick, Cliff & Carrie Woolley, David A. Powell, Deborah Franke, Debra J. Bonde, Diana Sanchez Bentz from Gilroy, California, Donna F. Anderson, Dr. L. A. Reiman., Dr. Lori Bailey, Dr. Theresa W. Gillespie from Atlanta, Georgia, Elaine from Illinois, Ellen & Kevin Woods, Eric W. Tilenius, Erika & Andrew Boudreaux, Friends of Woodlawn School, Davidson, North Carolina, GEICO Local Office - Edison, New Jersey, Gina from Aiken, Ginny Aragon, Jacqueline Pappas, James & Beth Doster from Granger, Indiana, Jane Carleton, Jeanette Bradbury Herting, Jenny Fischer, Jim & Joan Webb, Jim Colleran, Jodi Bronson Sanchez, John & Karen Williams, John Salvino & Performance Wealth, Josh Beal, Joy Foley, Joyna Heinz Coaching, Judith Rubin, Julia Conlee, Karen M. Campbell, Karen Priest, Kate Hannah, Kelly Choi, Ken & Shirley Kroohs, Ken Milani, Koul Family from Kentucky, M.G. from DC, Margaret Mullen, Margaret Ramsey & John McCluskey, Margo Dichtelmiller, Maria Sarath Ragucci, Marilyn & Herbert Heflich, Marilyn Elaine Flowers, Mary Ann Bernald, Mary Beth, Mary Jo & Paul King, Mary Kay Strachota, Mary Klinedinst, Matt Justice, Michael & Eileen Tivnan, Michael Lacy, Mike & Denise Salisbury, Mr. & Mr. Lee Moore and Josh Loveall, Mr. Subhaker Satyanarayan, Ms. BJ Strickland, Ms. Chris Lewis, Ms. Kelly Quayle, a proud supporter from Florida, Ms. Lisa Burns & Mr. Henry Chamberlain from Virginia, Norma Kingery, Padilla Family, Pam Jones & Kris Heim, Pamela Miller, Pamela Tripp, Pat Sanders, Paul & Sue Kilrain, Paula Kahler, Retired Teacher, Rachel Powers & Matthew O’Fallon, Rebecca Thomas, Reggie & Beth Touchton, Rochelle Leininger, Ronald & Beverly Carter, Ruth M Landow, Sharon Mize from Texas, Sharon Wilson, Sheila Murphy, Shelley Klein, Stephanie Norris, Susan Means, Terri Ann Lowenthal, That recycling guy Matt Nolan, The Flemming Family, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Tim & Jennifer Buechele, Tim Brabets, Timothy Arnold, Tina B.Tessina, PhD LMFT, V. Suwanseree, Wendy Bartlett, In honor of Ramesh Nayak, a donor from Maryland, a donor from Tampa, a donor from Texas (2), a family from Virginia, a fan in Florida, a proud senior supporter from New Hampshire, a reader from California (6), a supporter from Alexandria, Virginia, a supporter from Highland Park, Illinois, a supporter from Massachusetts, a supporter from Missouri, a supporter from New York City, a supporter from Oregon, a supporter from San Jose, CA, a supporter from West Virginia, a supporter in San Francisco, CA, a supporter of access to quality education for all, an old friend of DonorsChoose, GO Navy, and 2 anonymous donors.
And the winning teachers are….
Nicole Martin, Keith Middle High School, Orrville, AL
Topaz Stotts, Klatt Elementary School, Anchorage, AK
Cristina Angulo, Mountain View School Elementary School, Rio Rico, AZ
Jennifer Langston, Paragould Junior High School, Paragould, AR
Jenny Doan, Washington Elementary School, San Jose, CA
Shauna McClurg, Northglenn High School, Northglenn, CO
Brittany Steiner, Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Norwalk, CT
Sinead Ronan, Magnolia Middle School, Magnolia, DE
Tashia Cauley, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, Washington, DC
Dr. Khalifa Stanford, Andover Middle School, Miami, FL
Essalen McFarland, Rockdale Career Academy, Conyers, GA
Donna Soriano, Waianae Elementary School, Waianae, HI
Jim Phillips, Coeur d'Alene High School, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Emily Johanson, Providence Englewood Charter School, Chicago, IL
Melinda Warman, Rhoades Elementary School, Indianapolis, IN
Donna Charipar, Harding Middle School, Cedar Rapids, IA
Matt Gerry, Salina South Middle School, Salina, KS
Joseph Stivers, Echo Trail Middle School, Louisville, KY
Traci Vedros, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Metairie, LA
Marielle Edgecomb, Sumner Memorial High School, Sullivan, ME
Ana Maria Gonzalez Borrero, Melwood Elementary School, Rosaryville, MD
Linda Stone, German Gerena Community School, Springfield, MA
Megan Syed, Lincoln Park High School, Lincoln Park, MI
Colleen Worby, Sand Creek Elementary School, Coon Rapids, MN
Paula Breland, Kreole Elementary School, Moss Point, MS
Tammy Anderson, Van Horn High School, Independence, MO
Natalie Martin, Corvallis Primary School, Corvallis, MT
Angela McQuinn, Bancroft Elementary School, Omaha, NE
Rebecca Tate, Amargosa Valley Elementary School, Amargosa Valley, NV
Amy Sherr, Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH
Christopher Wells, Leeds Avenue School, Pleasantville, NJ
Christina Burger, Hodgin Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM
Dora Schaffer, PS 54, Staten Island, NY
Holly Potts, Lead Mine Elementary School, Raleigh, NC
Nicole Clemenson, Early Childhood Center, West Fargo, ND
Robyn White, John P. Parker Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH
Heather Surber, Holmes Park Elementary School, Sapulpa, OK
Jenny Folsom, Sunnyslope Elementary School, Roseburg, OR
Jenn Knauer, Siegfried Elementary School, Northampton, PA
Richard Morandi, Cole Middle School, East Greenwich, RI
Alexis Sommers, Eagle Nest Elementary School, North Charleston, SC
Chelsea Acheson, Medary Elementary School, Brookings, SD
Betty Shelton, Coffee County Middle School, Manchester, TN
Jacqueline Riquelme, International Leadership Academy - Southwest, Houston, TX
Amanda Fawcett, West Hills Middle School, West Jordan, UT
David Nacmanie, Charles P Smith Elementary School, Burlington, VT
Amber Reed, Westside Elementary School, Roanoke, VA
Abby Williams, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, Seattle, WA
Katie Kendall, Shoals Elementary School, Charleston, WV
Sarah Karns, Emmeline Cook Elementary School, Oshkosh, WI
Julie Dupuis, Etna Elementary School, Star Valley Ranch, WY
Every Donation Matched
In addition to our sweepstakes event, EVERY teacher on our site got a serious boost with a matching event on March 25! Every donation made that day was matched, thanks to support from The DonorsChoose Community. This match represents the heart of DonorsChoose: that every kid in every classroom in every state deserves equal access to the vital supplies they need most. And donors across the country showed their unwavering belief in teachers and students — BIG TIME.
In one single day:
- More than 20,000 people flooded the DonorsChoose site and donated to teacher requests
- More than 11,900 teachers received support
- Over $3.7 million (!!) was donated for crucial school supplies for students in every corner of the country
All Together: The Virtual Party
The celebration continued on April 2. DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier emceed a virtual anniversary celebration, “All Together: 25 Years of Choosing Students & Teachers” — with the help of some very special guests.
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