The Arizona Builders Alliance has participated in a school supply drive resulting in the donation of over 950 school supplies to children at two Phoenix schools. Children at both the Phoenix campus of Children First Academy and Sequoia Charter School Elementary received backpacks and school supplies. Between July and August of this year, the donations were collected from more than 100 Arizona Builders Alliance member companies across the valley.
With over 280 member companies, the Arizona Builders Alliance is an alliance of the Arizona Chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors and the Building Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. The ABA specializes in serving the needs of the commercial and industrial construction industry.
The Arizona Builders Alliance first began collecting backpacks for underprivileged children in the summer of 2010. With the collection drive being so popular among member companies, it was expanded the following year to also include basic school supplies for children of all grade levels.
The ABA’s Community Service Board first partnered with Children First Academy in 2012. Children First Academy is a non-profit charter school with one campus in Tempe and another in Phoenix. Families enrolling their children at Children First Academy either meet or fall below the poverty line. The majority of the children enrolled are actually homeless. The Phoenix campus of Children First Academy serves 250 children. The Tempe campus has merged with Sequoia Charter School Elementary this year, which has expanded the number of children enrolled at its campus to 700.
“The appreciation that the students, teachers, and administration express when we distribute the supplies in early August is heart-warming,” said Erica Lange, assistant executive director for the Arizona Builders Association. “The excitement and gratitude is clear the moment each child enters the room. The wonderfully positive response we’ve gotten from our members, as well as CFA, has made the drive something we look forward to every year.”
Each student was provided with all needed supplies and backpacks this year due to ABA member donations.
