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When students Rachel and Matthew Joy realized many of their favorite teachers could lose their jobs to state budget cuts, they decided to take action.

The siblings spearheaded a project to support their schools and teachers, and even managed to take the effort further by encouraging their Glendora neighbors to help the environment.

They distributed a flyer to their neighbors asking them to donate recyclables, with the proceeds going to the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting Glendora schools.

Fourteen-year-old Matthew, 9-year-old Rachel and their parents, Liz and Darrin Joy, first became aware of FGUS just as the country’s worst economic downturn since the great depression began to affect their local schools. California legislators, struggling to cope with worsening budget shortfalls and reluctant to raise taxes, cut the state’s education budget severely. Glendora schools were deeply affected, losing millions of dollars in state funding, with further state cuts continuing to threaten the district’s budget.

FGUS began raising awareness of the district’s funding challenges and the foundation’s efforts to combat those challenges through school presentations and an informational video shown at back-to-school events throughout the district.

The foundation’s awareness efforts caught the attention of the Joys, as did the foundation’s many “SOS” (Support Our students) signs in front lawns throughout the city, and the family looked for ways to help.

Matthew Joy, then a sixth-grader at Goddard Middle School, drew from his experience as a fifth grader under Lisa Williams-Linthicum at Sellers Elementary School. Williams-Linthicum had her students recycle plastic and aluminum to support the class’ annual project, and Matthew realized he could continue these efforts and use the money raised to support his school. When Rachel saw several teachers lose their jobs and several others put in jeopardy, she soon joined forces with Matthew.

Matthew and Rachel ultimately realized donating their recycling proceeds to FGUS was the best choice.

“The kids originally thought to use the money to support their own schools, but then we realized it would be more inclusive to give it to the foundation, which supports all the schools in the district,” Darrin Joy said. “Also, by supporting the foundation and not just our schools, we knew we had a better chance of getting more people to get involved and donate.”

FGUS President Mike Beckman praised the children for their efforts, which have raised about $450 to date.

“We are extremely proud of both Matt and Rachel,” Beckman said. “Their environmental consciousness as well as their sense of giving back to their community are commendable. This is evidence of how small actions can make a big impact.  The entire organization is appreciative of their efforts.”

The Joy children continue their recycling and fundraising for FGUS.  Those interested in donating recyclables may contact them via e-mail at recycle4school@yahoo.com.

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FGUS was recently honored by THE Magazine as one of the 50 Inspiring Charities in the Pasadena Foothills Region. This is a noteworthy honor given that this area has the largest concentration of nonprofits in the United States (according to THE Magazine).

The charities recognized in the article share three characteristics: They provide direct services to their communities; extend to the entire community to educate, inform and motivate participation; and openly share financial and operational issues for analysis. Publisher Steve Tobia also noted the positive impact the selected charities have on the quality of lives within their communities.

“This is a tremendous honor for FGUS, and an important recognition of our many volunteers and generous donors who have been responsible for our success,” said Mike Beckman, President of FGUS. “We are a relatively young organization compared to our counterparts who also received this designation, which makes this honor even more special. We are both proud of and grateful toGlendora’s citizens who make education a priority in our community.”

“Glendora, in fact, is known for its excellent public education system, which plays an important role in maintaining our property values,” continued Beckman. “With funding from the State being constantly reduced, educational foundations are perhaps the singular way by which communities can sustain educational excellence. Continuing this excellence benefits everyone, from helping to maintain property values, to producing educated and productive citizens, and cultivating our future leaders.”

Read the full article on the Glendora Patch website.

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