This year, 18,000 students in 215 schools and nonprofit organizations in local communities across the country got the tools they need to have a successful school year. In its annual Tools for School drive, Verizon employees, its customers and the general public collected and donated new and gently used school supplies, including rulers, backpacks, crayons and other items children need to start the school year.  

In addition, Verizon employees and members of the public donated more than $11,000 to fund more than 80 school projects. The projects were posted on DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit organization that allows contributors to donate to a myriad of education projects at public schools throughout the country. To further encourage donors to participate the Verizon Foundation provided DonorsChoose.org a grant of $10,000 to go towards science, math or technology related projects, which the nonprofit used to match some donations. 

In total, Verizon collected or donated more than $300,000 to help students get back-to-school with the right tools. More than 9,400 students in classrooms across the country will benefit directly through the projects funded on that website. 

Charles Best, CEO of DonorsChoose, said, “We’re thrilled that the Verizon Foundation is supporting America’s classrooms by encouraging such donations and offering a grant that gives even more students and teachers the resources that are needed to enhance students’ learning experience.”  

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.