The Apple Project is a Choice tradition.
Movement, Literacy, and Experience
Every year, Choice staff members come together to raise money for the Apple Project. This year, in lieu of donating books to Choice teachers and their classrooms, the Apple Project focused its efforts on three main categories: Movement, Literacy, and Experience. Collectively, over $1,500 was raised by the Choice staff at the holiday parties and then Choice Schools matched the donations for a grand total of $3,055.
With those funds, educators and staff members were able to submit a wish-list item to be fulfilled by the Apple Project. We are excited to say that the majority of the requests submitted were filled!
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Here’s a list of some of the items people received: Battle Creek Montessori Academy
Benton Harbor Charter
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Morey Montessori
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science
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School Projects
Here are some of the examples of how our schools expressed their compassion for the families in their school community:
Battle Creek Montessori Academy
BCMA held a food drive for a local pantry during the months of November and December. All contributed food items went to help others in need.
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy
This year, BHCSA raised nearly $1,200 during two weeks of uniform buyouts. The funds were used to purchase gift cards that were delivered to families that are homeless whose Christmas was sponsored by BHCSA.
Bradford Academy
Bradford’s elementary school conducted a food, clothing, hat, and glove collection drive to help families. They also adopted a Bradford Academy Family to support during the holiday season.
Creative Montessori Academy
CMA held a hat, mittens, and non-perishable food and donation drive for families.
Four Corners Montessori Academy
As part of FCMA’s Christmas party celebration, staff, students, families, and Board Members came together and created 35 fleece blankets for the local Children’s Hospital, and created 126 care packages for the area’s homeless shelter.
Macomb Montessori Academy
The MMA family spent time this holiday season writing letters to veterans, as well as collecting food for the local food pantry.
Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change
MMAEC hosted a Children’s Food Basket Pantry food drive to collect food for children this season.
New Branches Charter Academy
NBCA participated in a Toys for Tots collection, and made Christmas cards for children at DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Second Home Child Development Center
Second Home held a hat, glove, and winter coat drive as well as adopted a family in need from their school. Vendor Variety Foods also provided food baskets for three families.
Three Oaks Public School Academy
TOPSA hosted a book drive and a canned food drive for families.
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science
WMAES hosted their annual Toys for Eagles project to collect toys for families of the academy. They also supported the Remembrance Church food pantry drive.
Staff Families Assisted
We were also able to bless numerous employees in our schools. Some examples include:
-Christmas gifts and groceries for a staff member’s daughter
-Funds for banking charges
-Funds for past due auto loans
-Funds for child’s health insurance and payments
-Funds for past due credit card payments
-Funds for car repairs
-Funds for past due rent
-General financial support
-Purchase of washer and dryer for single parent with children
-Funds for past due utility bill
In addition to families assisted, Choice also contributed to a school’s book drive as a match to leverage free books, and match staff contributions to a toy drive.
It’s important to reflect on all this season of compassion has given and provided us all with. We are all so blessed for the opportunity to be able to intentionally bless our employees and their families, as well as the entire Choice community. While the nature of gifts may change yearly, it is our hope that the Apple Project continues to be a support and light for all.