Members of Pen Air® Credit Union's (PenAir) Share It® program have generously contributed over $5,300 to support the Santa Rosa Education Foundation this year.

Through the Share It® program, PenAir donates .01¢ for every signature-based debit card transaction made by participating members at no cost to the members. This initiative allows members to extend their support to teachers in Santa Rosa County, Baldwin County, Alabama, or Escambia County, Florida.

Share It® funds are being utilized to strengthen Santa Rosa Education Foundation's recognition and retention programs, including Teacher Grants and Teacher of the Year. Last year, the Teacher Grant program awarded $55,000 to SRCSD teachers for innovative projects spanning STEM Education, Literacy, Career & Technical Education, and Artistic Literacy. The Foundation's goal is to distribute $60,000 in grants this year.

The Teacher of the Year program allows SREF to acknowledge and reward exceptional educators across the district, culminating in the Golden Apple Awards on March 8th, 2023, at The Saenger Theater. This celebration highlights the Florida Teacher of the Year nominee, individual school representatives, and all educators in the district, showcasing their rich learning environments.

Casey Brueske, Community Education Development Specialist for Pen Air® Credit Union, stressed the program's impact, stating, "PenAir's Share It® program is another way we're making a difference in our local schools. These students and educators need our help now more than ever. We're thrilled to partner with the Santa Rosa Education Foundation to enrich the lives of Santa Rosa County students."

Share It® members raised an impressive $5,309.27 for the Santa Rosa Education Foundation, reinforcing PenAir's commitment to educational excellence. Danielle Clark, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Education Foundation, said, "We're grateful for our partnership with PenAir. These funds support our Teacher Grants and Teacher of the Year programs, showcasing the remarkable work of our district's teachers."

The Share It® program's total contribution for the 2023-2024 school year reached an impressive $22,054.71 across the three participating districts, providing invaluable resources for educational enhancement.