The St. Johns County Education Foundation Inc., which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), recently received a donation of $32,000 from All American Air Charitable Foundation in St. Augustine.
According to Cathy Newman, INK! executive director, All American Air Charitable Foundation has supported INK! programs and events since 2013. The contribution includes support for Take Stock in Children, Five Learning Years, PIVOT, Teacher of the Year and the Teacher Leadership Council for the 2023 through 2024 school year.
“All American Air Charitable Foundation has a long history of supporting those in need in our community,” said Kara Haeussner, vice president, All American Air Charitable Foundation. “We are fortunate to fulfill many requests for donations and it would not have been possible without our donors, corporate sponsors and event participants who have helped us raise and contribute close to $2 million since 2011. We look forward to continuing the company’s involvement in our wonderful community.”
For the 2023-24 school year, the foundation invested in the Take Stock in Children scholarship program, which offers low-income students the opportunity to avoid the cycle of poverty through mentorship, education, college coaching and internship placement, along with the opportunity to earn a two-year Florida Prepaid college scholarship.
Additionally, funding will support the Five Learning Years (FLY) program across the county. FLY provides early literacy intervention to children entering voluntary pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.
The foundation also supports the PIVOT program for students at the Gaines Alternative School. PIVOT inspires students to succeed in their school and community. The PIVOT program provides an ongoing coaching and tutoring community to help transform the lives of at-risk students by focusing on their academic and social needs.
Annually, All American Air Charitable Foundation demonstrates its support for our educators by sponsoring the Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes top educators across the St. Johns County School District and celebrates their contributions to students and peers.
This year, the foundation also sponsored the local Teacher Leadership Council (TLC). The St. Johns County TLC program includes previous Teachers and Rookie Teachers of the Year who are dedicated to advancing the teaching profession and supporting and empowering all St. Johns County educators to become respected leaders in their school, district and the community.
“We know that an investment in INK! helps students and teachers throughout St. Johns County,” said DeAnn Collins Dockery, secretary, All American Air Charitable Foundation. “We are delighted to be able to give to the worthy nonprofit again this year. We helped fund the pilot year of PIVOT last year. We are eager to see the program continue and grow along with the many other great initiatives including Take Stock in Children, Five Learning Years, resources for teachers and recognition of the great work that our teachers are doing with our students every day.”
Each beneficiary of the foundation must be selected by the not-for-profit’s board of directors at its discretion and be a tax-exempt organization.
“We operate at the highest level of integrity with transparency and accountability,” said Christine Chapman. “INK! is near and dear to our hearts, and has received funding from us through the foundation and especially from our renowned All American Air Table Tennis Classic held for 13 years to benefit those in need in our region.”
Formed by Christine and Steve Chapman, founders and owners of All American Air Conditioning Inc., the All American Air Charitable Foundation began as a way to make a positive difference in the local community among like-minded people.
The company is located at 1010 S.R. 312 in St. Augustine and has helped to grow the charitable organization to initially assist the Junior Service League of St. Augustine through the candidacy of Christine Chapman at the annual JSL Gala.
“I would like to think we made a significant difference with our philanthropic giving and have encouraged other individuals to do the same,” said Chapman.
“We are beyond grateful for the continued support of the All American Air Charitable Foundation and its board of directors,” said Newman. “The impact of this generous donation will extend throughout St. Johns County as students and teachers will benefit from this investment in scholarships, innovative academic programs and resources.”
The St. Johns County Education Foundation Inc., which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), promotes success for all St. Johns County public school students and teachers by providing innovative programs, teacher support and classroom resources to benefit more than 52,000 students and approximately 3,200 teachers.
Located at 1 Christopher St. in St. Augustine, INK! is a 501(c)3 education foundation and the direct support organization to the St. Johns County School District. For more information, contact Cathy Newman at 904-547-7120 or catherine.newman@stjohns.k12.fl.us or go to ink-stjohns.org.
