Decatur, GA - As part of Georgia United Foundation’s 6th annual School Crashers® program, team members, donor partners and volunteers gathered on July 19-20, 2019, to improve the learning environment of Toney Elementary School, located at 2701 Oakland Terrace in Decatur.
With the help of over 150 volunteers, Toney Elementary received extensive outdoor improvements including a new outdoor classroom furnished with whiteboard and benches, shade canopy with picnic tables in the school colors, courtyard STEM garden with native vegetation, crushed stone walking path, fencing, fresh mulch, landscaping, parking lot refresh, painting and custom murals.
Indoors, a mascot mural will welcome the 350 students and 45 faculty members when the 2019-2020 school year begins. Students will enjoy a refreshed media center with new Mohawk carpeting, fresh paint and flexible furniture, an updated computer lab and new red cafeteria chairs. The faculty will return to new furniture in the reception area, Mohawk carpeting in the faculty lounge and organized classrooms and storage closets. In 
addition, the faculty will show their school pride with new logo apparel donated by the credit union.
Dr. Karen Dukes, nominating teacher at Toney Elementary, was ecstatic with the number of project enhancements that were accomplished. “I’m thrilled that Toney Elementary was chosen as the top School Crashers recipient out of the hundreds that applied. I requested an outdoor classroom and am beyond excited that students will also have a revitalized courtyard and inspiring indoor learning spaces to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome the students back to school!”
In addition to Toney Elementary, five additional schools will receive smaller grants or “mini-crashes” and four more schools will receive carpet grants from Mohawk Flooring. Details can be found at gucufoundation.org/schoolcrashers.Georgia United is also appreciative of Atlanta & Company, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fox 5, Channel 2 and The Champion Newspaper who helped share the School Crashers story with the community.
About School Crashers
School Crashers is Georgia United Foundation’s largest community service program that offers schools across the state the opportunity to apply for a school facility makeover. The nomination period is typically open in March and anyone can nominate a deserving school by submitting a 250-word statement explaining why their school should receive a makeover along with supporting photos of the areas in need. Over the last five years, the program has provided 33 makeovers totaling over $1MM in improvements. Visit gucufoundation.org/schoolcrashers for details and photos of previous school recipients.
About the Georgia United Foundation
Georgia United Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in the communities they serve through impactful programs funded by way of corporate contributions and delivered through volunteerism from the credit union and community partners. The Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is the philanthropic arm of Georgia United Credit Union. Visit gucufoundation.org to learn more.
About Georgia United Credit Union
Georgia United Credit Union is an award-winning financial leader and partner in education. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia United is ranked as one of the state’s largest credit unions with $1.3 billion in assets, 163,000 members and 19 branch locations. As a full-service financial institution, they offer competitive products and services for every stage of life. Visit gucu.org to learn more and follow the credit union on Facebook at facebook.com/GeorgiaUnitedCU, Twitter @GAUnitedCU and Instagram @gucucares.