Sunmark Gives Back to teachers as summer of kindness continues

"It's just amazing to think that a "bank" would do things like this."

Amy Hooker, an elementary age teacher at St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany, expressed her appreciation for Sunmark as she and other teachers from school districts across the credit union's field of membership came to collect supplies for the upcoming school year. As part of Sunmark's ongoing "Summer of Kindness" initiative, teachers were asked to submit wish lists containing items they would use for their classrooms. 10 teachers from different school districts were chosen to receive $250 worth of supplies each. Items donated by Sunmark included books, musical instruments, scissors, glue sticks, sensory items, and more. Amy Hooker used the opportunity to ask for items that will help her create a "calming corner" for her students, many of whom have special needs.

Hooker added: "A lot of kids have been through a lot in the last couple of years, so i'm really excited to get into the classroom to set this up and start utilzing the calming corner." 

Other teachers and school districts that were selected include: Sarah Brady (Schenectady CSD), Sandra Nash Paul (South Colonie CSD), Siobhan Obrien (Lakeland CSD), Marina Strang (Mohonasen CSD), Laura Henzel (South Glens Falls CSD), Nicole Place (Guilderland CSD), Carrie Briggs (Cohoes CSD), Hannah Christopher (Troy CSD), and Claire Marcus (Voorheesville CSD).

This was the third project completed by Sunmark for the 2022 edition of the "Summer of Kindness" initiative, an award winning program started by the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation in 2021. Earlier this summer the credit union participated in "National Night Out" in several communities it serves and held Family Fun Night, treating members of the Clifton Park community to free ice cream and mini golf.