Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers applications open
Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
The Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program returns this fall to deliver $1.25 million straight into Arizona classrooms.
A total of 500 teachers will receive $2,500 each for the second consecutive year as the program enters its ninth year overall as all Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers, staff and coaches are eligible to receive much-deserved funding for their classrooms, Fiesta Bowl Charities officials tell the Digital Free Press.
The application process is simple, requiring only a few minutes to fill out how a teacher will use a $2,500 wish to help fill a need for students. Accessible through WishesForTeachers.org, the application is open through 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.
“Teachers inspire and create hope for Arizona’s students in their personal development and that is why the support that Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers provides is so vital,” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses. “Fiesta Sports Foundation and our partners are pleased to honor, support and celebrate teachers by providing additional funding to help with the necessary resources they require to do what they do best – engage and inspire kids.”
Through the generous support from attendees at the Arizona Bank & Trust Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff presented by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, funds were raised that will fulfill 91 of the 500 wishes.
Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers is in its ninth year as Arizona’s largest annual teacher financial support initiative. The Fiesta Sports Foundation identified that teachers spent their own money to fill their classroom needs and so the Wishes for Teachers program was created in 2016 to enhance classrooms and support teachers.
Wishes for Teachers has granted nearly $7 million to 2,100 Arizona teachers, impacting 920,000-plus students across the state in its first eight years.
Over the past eight years, wishes have ranged from new computers and technology for classrooms to drones, special education sensory and manipulative materials, vision testing and glasses for students, podcast equipment, after school character development supplies, libraries, laundry machines and more.
At the close of the application period, the 500 recipients will be selected at random and will be notified during the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP in November.
