{"id":2828,"date":"2015-10-09T15:35:20","date_gmt":"2015-10-09T20:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trta.org\/?p=2828"},"modified":"2015-10-09T15:35:20","modified_gmt":"2015-10-09T20:35:20","slug":"sneak-peek-of-the-voice-foundation-month-is-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trta.org\/es\/sneak-peek-of-the-voice-foundation-month-is-soon\/","title":{"rendered":"SNEAK PEEK of The VOICE: Foundation Month is Soon!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) is changing lives every day! November has been designated as Foundation Month, a time to honor and support the Texas Retired Teacher Association\u2019s (TRTA) charitable giving partner.<\/p>\n

TRTF was founded in 1988 to raise funds to build the permanent home of TRTA in downtown Austin, Texas. The organization began offering grants to classroom teachers and scholarships to future educators in 2000.<\/p>\n

Since that time, TRTF has given out more than $200,000<\/strong> to educators of the past, present and future!<\/p>\n

\u201cA Helping Hand\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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$80,000 has contributed to the \u201cA Helping Hand\u201d program for retirees experiencing critical emergencies. Because of the generosity of TRTA\u2019s members and friends, the Foundation has been able to assist 81 individuals with a variety of needs, including funds for home repairs, dental work, eyeglasses, medical alert services, property taxes and more!<\/p>\n

TRTF also provided $41,000 in relief funds to retired and active educators in West, Texas after the fertilizer plant explosion in April 2013.<\/p>\n

Recently, TRTF has received several applications for members who experienced damage to their homes as a result of the Memorial Day floods. TRTF accepts applications for assistance year-round. If you or someone you know needs a helping hand, please contact us at help@trtf.org<\/a> or 1.800.880.1650. All applications are kept confidential.<\/p>\n

Classroom Assistance Grants<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nRandy Mayer (left) with Principal Sylvia Villejo (right) receiving a $500 classroom assistance grant.<\/div>\n
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To date, TRTF has awarded more than $41,000 in classroom assistance grants to schoolteachers in Texas for various projects and learning initiatives.<\/p>\n

Those projects include an aquaponics greenhouse being developed by Buda ISD teacher Randy Mayer and his students at the Impact Center. His $500 from TRTF was matched by the school district, allowing him to purchase much-needed tools such as shovels, seeds and a wheelbarrow.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be able to watch a video later this month featuring Mr. Mayer and his students building the greenhouse and working in their school garden.<\/p>\n

Student Scholarships<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nKelsey Faykus discuss her passion for teaching in an upcoming TRTF video.<\/div>\n
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Since 2008, the Foundation has given $45,000 in scholarships to students pursuing degrees in education. This includes Ms. Kelsey Faykus, a student attending Southwestern University in Georgetown. While she majors in education, she also plays on the school basketball team. She credits Jimmy Michna, an at-large member of TRTA, with inspiring her to pursue a teaching career.<\/p>\n

TRTF had the opportunity to visit with Kelsey on campus earlier this year and conduct a video interview with her. Stay tuned to the L\u00ednea interior<\/em> later this month to watch this inspiring video as well as many others!<\/p>\n

You can read more about TRTF\u2019s 2015 Classroom Assistance Grant and Student Scholarship recipients haciendo clic aqu\u00ed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Legacy Campaign<\/strong><\/p>\n