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School Crashers

School Crashers is our facility 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, this program has impacted 86 deserving schools, investing over $3.1 million in improvements—and we're just getting started!

This year, five schools were selected from 249 applicants. Check out the schools who were "crashed" over summer break... And stay tuned for 2027 online applications opening in mid-December.

Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy

Dalton, Georgia

Serving students from across Whitfield County, Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy (NWGCCA) is a center for innovative learning and career readiness. Through updated furniture and flooring, the Media Center was transformed into a modern, versatile space that better supports students, staff, and community events.

Snapfinger Elementary School

Decatur, Georgia

Snapfinger Elementary School transformed an underutilized STEM lab into a vibrant hub for hands-on learning. With new flooring, fresh paint, and modern furniture, the redesigned space inspires curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving while providing students with greater opportunities to explore STEM concepts.

Duncan Creek Elementary School

Hoschton, Georgia

Duncan Creek Elementary's PTA recognized the growing need for social-emotional learning resources and nominated the school for a School Crashers makeover. What began as a small sensory area created with donated items has been transformed into a thoughtfully designed sensory room, providing students with a safe, calming space to regulate emotions, build readiness to learn, and thrive in the classroom.

West Chatham Elementary School

Pooler, Georgia

Nominated by a principal dedicated to student well-being, this Pooler elementary school transformed an unused room into a calming sensory space through School Crashers. Equipped with flexible seating, sensory tools, and soothing features, the room provides students with a supportive environment to regulate emotions, reduce stress, and return to the classroom ready to learn.

Shoal Creek Elementary School

Conyers, Georgia

Recognizing the importance of social-emotional learning, Shoal Creek Elementary's principal and parent liaison sought to enhance the school's existing sensory room through School Crashers. With updated furnishings, calming colors, warm lighting, and sensory equipment, the revitalized space now provides students with a welcoming environment to regulate emotions, refocus, and return to learning ready to thrive.

Our Impact So Far

Awarded

86
School Crashers grants

Invested

$ 3.1
Million
towards enhancing educational spaces in local schools

Impacted

62,491
students who now enjoy a better learning environment
School Crashers Donors
“
School Crashers has validated the worth of every student who walks through these doors. By investing your resources into the media center, you sent a powerful message directly to our kids: You matter. Your education matters. Your dreams deserve the very best.
- Tippi C., Media Specialist, Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy
“
We are so grateful to Georgia United School Crashers for transforming our storage room into an amazing and beautiful parent and student resource room. The space will give our families the tools they need to help student succeed at home and in the classroom. Thank you so much for investing in our kids and our community! We appreciate it!
- Ashley W., Instructional Coach, NW Laurens Elementary
“
When I see the new (Clarkston High School) Media Center I see something conducive to learning, reading, and boosting morale. Most importantly this space will strengthen our partnerships with our communities and families.
- Elijah P., Chief of Staff, DeKalb County School District
“
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 School
“
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
“
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
“
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

Georgia United Credit Union Awards West Chatham Elementary 2026 School Crashers Grant

Mar 19, 2026

POOLER, GA (March 10, 2026) – Imagine you’re a first grader who has had a hard morning at home before school. Maybe you’re struggling with big emotions, a behavioral disorder or you’re simply overwhelmed. Your teacher notices that you are having a difficult day and wishes there was a calming place where you could meet with the school counselor to take a break and reset before returning to class. But your school doesn’t have a sensory room – just regular classrooms with hard chairs and bright lights - and the only private place available is the principal’s office. If only there was a space designed just for you, with soft lighting, calming colors, cozy seating and sensory equipment that helps you feel regulated, supported and ready to try again. The right tools can make all the difference.

West Chatham Elementary Principal Bridget Gordon nominated her school for a makeover grant with a 250-word story and a photo of a small, empty room – earning one of five coveted Georgia United School Crashers projects scheduled for this summer. Principal Gordon requested a private calming space for over-stressed students to process their emotions.  “Every child deserves a safe place to be seen, heard, and supported. This sensory room gives our students a space to pause, process, and return to learning stronger and ready to succeed." shared Gordon. 

This morning, a group of Georgia United Credit Union representatives arrived at the school with balloons and banners to make the announcement public. Georgia United Vice President Vickey McNeany shared, “We are looking forward to serving our communities and strengthening our school systems through our thirteenth annual School Crashers program. This program is made possible by the Georgia United Foundation, credit union team members, generous donors, community partners and volunteers.”

Whenever members use Georgia United for a car loan, home loan or checking account, a part of those funds are given back to the community through scholarships, financial education or through programs like School Crashers that deliver inspiring learning spaces that strengthen schools. By the end of the summer, School Crashers improvements will have impacted a total of 86 schools with improvements estimated at over $3.2 million since 2014.

“As a district, we are committed to supporting the whole child and meeting students where they are,” said Kimberly McGuire, Executive Director of Counseling Services for Savannah‑Chatham County Public Schools. “The addition of a sensory and calming space at West Chatham Elementary expands access to social‑emotional supports that help students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.”

Following this morning’s announcement, Georgia United’s community development representatives will meet with the school to begin setting priorities and planning everything from paint and flooring to sensory equipment and comfortable seating. All facility upgrades to the space will be administered during summer break to ensure that regular instruction is not impacted. The new sensory room is scheduled to be ready for students and faculty to use by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. 

Funding for School Crashers is made possible by Georgia United Credit Union, Georgia United Foundation and generous community partners and volunteers. To contribute, visit gucufoundation.org/donate. To explore past School Crashers projects and see additional 2026 recipients as they're announced throughout March, visit gucufoundation.org/schoolcrashers.