GTEA Raises $2K for Sandy-Ravaged Schools

Gloucester Township Education Association President Angel McDermott issued the following press release regarding GTEA's Superstorm Sandy fundraiser at the Deptford Barnes & Noble on Saturday, Dec. 8:

During this season of giving and thanksgiving, the members of the Gloucester Township Education Association (GTEA) and the Gloucester Township Support Professionals Association (GTSPA) are giving back to those in need.

When Hurricane Sandy hit, GTEA members wanted to know what they could do to help. During their November Council meeting, President Angel McDermott was talking about Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts when GTEA representative Charles “Chip” Pildis came up with the idea of a bookfair at Barnes & Noble to help schools replenish books that were ruined. He organized the event for Saturday, Dec. 8, and it ran from the time the store opened to its closing, with the proceeds going to help those schools hit hard.

For this event, GTSPA was also asked to participate. GTEA and GTSPA members took time during this busy time of year and manned the tables explaining the event to customers and asking them to mention Hurricane Sandy when they made their purchases. GTEA and GTSPA members also helped the cause by making their own purchases.

Since GTEA had asked that the funds raised be given as a Barnes & Noble gift card, 15 percent of the purchases of books, movies, music, Nooks and café treats would be given to the cause instead of the standard 10 percent. Sales were brisk and Barnes & Noble bumped the amount to 20 percent. When the store closed, sales credited to the GTEA/GTSPA Hurricane Sandy relief effort topped $10,000 and gift cards totaling $755 and about 20 books had also been donated. Barnes & Noble also granted that online sales that used the bookfair code (10962298) until Wednesday, Dec. 12, would be credited to the Hurricane Sandy event. McDermott and Pildis estimate that approximately $2,000, including the donated gift cards, would be presented to help schools replenish classroom and school libraries.

The members of the Gloucester Township Education Association and the Gloucester Township Support Professionals Association have shown their compassion and concern for their colleagues and their communities demonstrating that in school and out, they do make a difference!