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School Crashers

School Crashers is our school makeover program that unites communities, media partners, donors and volunteers to complete improvement projects for deserving schools.

Transforming Schools, One Makeover at a Time

For more than a decade, Georgia United Foundation's School Crashers program has been transforming learning environments across Georgia. Every year, we select multiple schools for much-needed improvement projects. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses and dedicated community volunteers, we've already enhanced over 76 schools—and we're just getting started!

School Crashers accepts nominations in January and chooses schools in the early spring to undergo summer transformations. To learn more, please review the Official Rules.

Congrats 2024 School Crashers Recipients

Atlanta Area School for the Deaf

The Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD) is a day school in Clarkston, GA, serving over 130 deaf and hard-of-hearing students aged three to twenty-one from over 27 surrounding districts. The school uses American Sign Language and English, to encourage communication, self-expression and engagement within and beyond the deaf community. AASD received a media center upgrade, featuring collaborative seating, new flooring and a new deaf history museum and resource center. We look forward to watching the museum displays and deaf archive collection grow in the years to come.

CONGRATS 2024 SCHOOL CRASHERS RECIPIENTS

Barksdale Elementary School

Kristi Roop, the new principal at Barksdale Elementary, in Conyers, GA, commits to aiding teachers in meeting the diverse needs of their students. The school, equipped with specialized autism rooms and a Ready PreK room, used the School Crashers grant to develop a sensory classroom. This space, using Mohawk flooring was designed with calming corners, unique seating, sensory-rich features and interactive activities - to improve learning and self-regulation for all students.

CONGRATS 2024 SCHOOL CRASHERS RECIPIENTS

Miller Grove Middle School

With approximately 700 students in grades six through eight, Miller Grove Middle School, in Decatur GA, used their School Crashers grant to transform their media center into a hub for reading enthusiasm, where students can study or unwind with a good book. The updated space boasts new, comfortable and modern, Ernie Morris furniture, a redesigned layout and beautiful and durable luxury vinyl flooring, generously provided by Mohawk Flooring. Thanks to former MGMS student Khalil Siddeeq for nominating his alma mater for this transformative makeover.

CONGRATS 2024 SCHOOL CRASHERS RECIPIENTS

Pooler Elementary School

Pooler Elementary of Pooler GA, one of the oldest schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School System, prides itself on being "the little school that could." The School Crashers grant was used to create of a sensory classroom, designed to offer a safe and calming environment for students with sensory processing challenges. This room features a variety of sensory tools and equipment, such as hopscotch gel floor tiles, tactile wall panels and soft compression seating including a calming canoe. The aim was to provide a space where students can foster imagination and creativity and feel at ease enabling them to develop the skills necessary for success both in the classroom and beyond.

CONGRATS 2024 SCHOOL CRASHERS RECIPIENTS

Eastside Elementary School

Eastside Elementary, a Title 1 school in Dalton, GA, serves over 650 students from low-income families. Their School Crashers grant provided a complete sensory room makeover featuring both active and calming zones with new paint, sensory equipment, LED lights and sound features, a work area with wobble chairs, and the installation of new flooring from Mohawk. All the improvements will help strengthen the RCA (Ron Clark Academy) house system of core values at Eastside, fostering a positive, inclusive environment where students can excel academically, socially and emotionally.

CONGRATS 2024 SCHOOL CRASHERS RECIPIENTS

Cornelia Elementary School

Cornelia Elementary School, in Cornelia GA, is a Title 1 school committed to introducing students to innovative learning concepts. As part of the "Leader in Me" program inspired by Stephen Covey's principles of developing successful habits and character, the school created a dedicated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Room. This space serves as a dynamic part of the students' weekly "Specials" rotation, offering interactive, hands-on learning experiences. It features a peg board wall area and a Lego wall for future builders, a hydroponic garden, a "maker space" with a 3-D printer, flexible collaborative seating, iPads, a Smart Touch Screen for presentations and robotics, bringing the world of STEM to life for all students.

LOOK AT THESE Past TRANSFORMATIONS

See for yourself the incredible impact the School Crashers program has made in local communities over the past decade. Check out before and after pictures and hear from those who have benefited from these school improvements. 

VIEW PAST GRANT RECIPIENTS

Our Impact So Far

Awarded

76
School Crashers grants

Invested

$ 2.4
M
towards enhancing educational spaces in local schools

Impacted

52,589
students who now enjoy a better learning environment
“
Words could never express how amazing it feels to enter our renovated spaces. The difference between the before and afters is like night and day. The faculty, staff and students were totally shocked by the upgrades provided through the School Crashers Grant from Georgia United Foundation and program sponsors. I am a 23 year educator in the Dekalb County School District. This by far is the best thing that has ever happened to me as an employee. We cannot thank you enough for choosing us for this unique opportunity. The Salem Middle School family is eternally grateful.
- Tiffanie B., Head Counselor, Salem Middle School
“
What an amazing program! Thank you to all the School Crashers contributors for making our newly created faculty recharge room a reality for the staff at Windsor Forest Elementary School. The staff looks forward to recharging here to focus on increasing student motivation and achievement.
- Dr. Trikia G., Principal, Windsor Forest Elementary
“
WOWSA! What a remarkable transformation! Thank you for bringing our vision to fruition! Beyond all expectations! We can’t wait to restore and recharge with our new space. With heartfelt gratitude.
- Barbara S., First Grade Teacher DLI, Windsor Forest Elementary School
“
Thank you! I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to Georgia United Foundation's School Crashers. I am overwhelmed with joy and indeed grateful for the total transformation of the teachers’ lounge at Salem Middle School. The lounge is inviting and relaxing, and it provides the teachers a space to RECHARGE! Thank you for selecting our proposal and making some much-needed improvements for our teachers at Salem Middle School.
- Dr. Lisa M., Executive Administrator, DeKalb County School District
“
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer a sensory room for students of all ages and abilities. Students who need a break to regroup and refocus will have a dedicated and private space to work through their feelings and emotions. The sensory room created by Georgia United Foundation offers students multiple methods of re-centering and regulating their minds and bodies. Calm minds and bodies are necessities for academic and social learning to occur. The sensory room gives students a place to go to get regulated so they can get back to class and move on with their learning.
- Jennifer W., Principal, High Shoals Elementary School
“
Our students with sensory needs now have a space where their needs can be met. Previously when our students needed a "brain break" we would go for walks or spend time in an empty space, this often left our students coming back into class with a lot of energy. This room will provide them with the tools they need to be successful for the rest of their day and this room will serve as another resource that teachers can utilize when they see a student struggling in the classroom. This program is super important because it immediately serves a specific need in the community. We were able to start our project at the end of May and were able to complete it by the end of July.
- Megan S., Special Education Interrelated Teacher, High Shoals Elementary School
“
Our staff will be positively affected by having a truly comfortable space where they can take a mindful break. School Crashers has truly been a blessing to our school. As educators, we often put ourselves 2nd and forget that we also must take care of ourselves or we're not providing the best services to our students. School Crashers has provided us with a space that we otherwise would not be able to have. We cannot thank Georgia United Foundation and their volunteers enough.
- Lindsay K., School Counselor, Cass Middle School
“
Having the students primed and ready for learning makes the job of every teacher more successful. The sensory room offers teachers an effective intervention for their students. In addition, sometimes adults need a space to calm and recharge. We already find ourselves fully utilizing this amazing space!
- Melissa D., Assistant Principal, Burnette Elementary School
“
Words are never enough to express appreciation, but your team's hard work truly was a blessing for us. We couldn't be happier with the end result. Many, many thanks to you and all the partners connected to this project in addition to the volunteers that gave their time to help us get it all together. You are all so very appreciated.
- Amy S., Media Center Specialist, Westside Middle School, Rocky Face, GA
“
Since our school was crashed, there have been SO many classes using the courtyard! We love it!!! And we're trying to get each grade level to take "ownership" of a space in the courtyard so they are going to help maintain it. It's so perfect for our school!!! Fits perfectly with our STEM focus.
- Julie F., Teacher, Brookwood Elementary School, Dalton, GA
“
We are beyond excited for our students at New Hope Middle School to experience the new sensory room provided to us through the Georgia United Credit Union School Crashers grant. This unique classroom environment will enable a special population of our students to have their sensory needs met in various ways allowing for optimal success in the academic classrooms and fostering positive relationships with their peers. We are on the countdown to the first day of school and can not wait to let our students see our new sensory room!
- Belinda S., Principal, New Hope Middle School, Dalton, GA
“
Georgia United School Crashers makeover was very impactful in transforming our building! This school-wide transformation was the catalyst that increased our positive school climate and culture, increased our CCPRI scores by 22.2 points and becoming a Title I Rewards school. Thank you Georgia United! You are our ROCK!
- Lisa G., Principal, Rock Chapel Elementary School, Lithonia, GA

Georgia United Foundation Hits a Hole-in-One for Charity

Dec 1, 2023

DULUTH, GA -  Georgia United Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Georgia United Credit Union, hosted its inaugural Tee Up for Charity event Wednesday, October 18, at Topgolf – Buford benefiting programs that improve the quality of life for children and families in the communities that the organization serves. 

The sold-out event, which featured a family-friendly driving range competition and silent auction, raised more than $43,000 for programs supported by the foundation, including School Crashers, Can Hunger, Wish Tree, scholarships and Junior Achievement of Georgia. 

Benefit galas and charity golf tournaments are well-established in the non-profit sector, however Georgia United Foundation’s leadership envisioned a different type of happening to raise awareness and funds for its charitable work. In tune with the organization’s mission to serve with the purpose of enriching lives, the event also matched the vibes of Georgia United’s corporate culture that encourages work-life balance and champions inclusiveness. 

“Our foundation impacts the lives of the families that we work with and serve, so we wanted to make sure we had a family-oriented event where we could bring our team members, our business partners and our membership together to help us in that endeavor,” said Georgia United’s Chief People Officer Carolina King, who also serves on the foundation’s board of directors. “We were determined to do something that was very genuine and approachable which is part of what our heart is at Georgia United and the foundation.” 

Guests filled 22 of the bays at Topgolf, with the top three golfers earning prizes, while others mingled and enjoyed food and beverages and perused the auction items on display in a separate room. 

The priciest auction item, an autographed Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs jersey, went for $5,500. 

Vendor relationships were vital to the first-time event’s success.  

Being a sponsor and silent auction donor was a no-brainer for Atlanta-based consulting services firm Camden Delta. 

“It was phenomenally fun and we’re just glad to be a part of it,” said Camden Delta Managing Partner Glen Kallas. “It hits that chord of our mission and some of the things we like to do, which is to give back to the communities that our clients serve, which gives us an opportunity to serve too.”  

About Georgia United Foundation 

Georgia United Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in the communities they serve through impactful programs funded and delivered through volunteerism by way of corporate contributions, team members and community efforts. The Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is the philanthropic arm of Georgia United Credit Union. For details on volunteering, participating or donating, visit gucufoundation.org.