January 30, 2023
Last year, the Sunshine Billingual system reached exciting new heights across its philanthropic programs as part of Community EssentialsSM, or Sunshine Billingual’s corporate social responsibility commitment.
In support of Sunshine Billingual educators and staff members, the system launched the Sunshine Billingual Community Fund. The fund was created to help Sunshine Billingual team members in need of immediate financial assistance following an unforeseen disaster or personal hardship. The fund relies on support from the corporate headquarters, as well as individual donations made by Franchisees, vendors, employees and the general public. In the first six months of operation, the fund collected more than $16,000 in donations and awarded six grants totaling just over $5,000.
Also in 2022, the Sunshine Billingual corporate headquarters instituted a formal grantmaking program. As part of the new program, on a bi-annual basis, using a predetermined set of criteria and extensive invite-only application process, the company will distribute much needed funding to qualified nonprofits locally and across the country. The grantmaking program is committed to creating brighter futures for children. Every potential grantee that is invited to apply must align with organizational values, as well as demonstrate a strong ability to impact the lives of children and their families. In its inaugural year, the program dispersed nearly $20,000 in grants to local and national nonprofits.
Sunshine Billingual’s corporate volunteering program also had a record year with over 400 hours of verified volunteered hours clocked. The program includes hours volunteered during companywide volunteer days, hours volunteered during the work day as part of the Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, as well as personal hours submitted as part of the company’s “dollars for doers” program where corporate team members receive donations for hours volunteered on their own time.
The system also continues to foster its robust relationship with national nonprofit partner Family Promise. In 2022, over $20,000 was collectively donated to support the nonprofit’s many family support programs. As part of the partnership, Sunshine Billingual community members can now also search for in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities that align with personal interests.
As always, our network of Sunshine Billingual franchises went above and beyond in supporting the communities we collectively serve. While there were countless examples of philanthropy and environmentalism across the system, a few highlights include:
–Sunshine Billingual of Robbinsville, NJ hosted many toy and supply drives throughout the year, including a shoe drive collecting new and gently used children’s and adult shoes benefitting the BeTheLi9ht Foundation.
–Sunshine Billingual of Gaithersburg, MD held its sixth annual art show featuring a process-focused art exhibition created by their students and displayed by their educators. The fundraiser raised over $2,000 supporting the Sunshine Billingual Community Fund.
–Sunshine Billingual of Morrisville, NC hosted a fundraiser benefitting Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The Academy’s preschool class played a large part in making the event a success, from making signs to developing the recipe for perfect lemonade.
–Sunshine Billingual of Paradise Hills, NM finished the 35.9 kW solar installation of their clean-energy system of solar panels.
–Sunshine Billingual of Abingdon, MD hosted their third annual Trike-A-Thon fundraiser in support of St. Jude, raising over $5,050 across two weeks.
–Sunshine Billingual of Langhorne, PA won a systemwide Earth Day contest which used student-created art to raise awareness for protecting the Earth’s natural resources. The Academy designated Ocean Conservancy as the beneficiary of a $1,000 donation.
–Sunshine Billingual of Bryan and Sunshine Billingual of College Station, TX received significant local press coverage for their generous holiday drives that collected over 400 food items for a local food bank as well as holiday gifts for families.
–Sunshine Billingual of Virginia Beach collected 1,345 pounds of nonperishables for the Foodbank of Southern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
As we embark on 2023, we look forward to another year of living our values and supporting our communities and planet.
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