Travis schools receive more than $7K

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With help from the Travis' community, the Officer's and Enlisted Spouses' Clubs delivered more than $7,250 in school supplies and donations to the three base elementary schools on Sept. 7. 

As a result of this summer's school supplies drive, Travis, Center and Scandia schools each received a $1,000 check and more than $1,400 worth of various school supplies.
"I am very happy with the school supply drives grand total, it will be hard to beat next year," said Mr. Jason Gunnarson, Community Readiness Consultant from the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

Travis Integrated Delivery System usually puts on this annual school supply drive but due to lack of manpower it might have been skipped this year if it were not for the spouses clubs on base. 

"Mrs. Deb Arquiette, who was attending the TIDES meeting in June, quickly jumped at the opportunity and it went from there," said Mr. Gunnarson. 

"This was a true community effort with every group on base represented, along with many of our partners units on base. The Spouses groups were amazing, producing the most successful drive supply to date in half the collection time. Jack Watts, from the 349th Family Readiness, routinely offers his assistance and always produces impressive results. This year the reservist collected more than $1,200 in just one day; that alone was incredible," he added. 

"I love [the school supply drive], our teachers have been needing overhead projectors, this check is where the money will go," said Ms. Lucy Salerno, Center School principal.
In order to receive these large checks and supplies, the Travis community had to get involved and donate. People donated a single item, some people filled up a whole back pack and some took out their wallets in support of the children. 

"Travis has a wonderful and supportive community with members that are generous to support our schools on base," said Mr. Gunnarson.
After the dust settled at the end of the day, the money and supplies given to the schools was more than double of what was collected last year. 

"It's great to see the base community join together to make this school supply drive a success," said Mrs. Arquiette.