Forked River Business Gives Back By Donating To Classrooms

FORKED RIVER, NJ — A local business is taking the time to give back to schools across the country after experiencing an increase in sales in 2022.

The Meyer Photo + Video Group, a Forked River-based event photography business, had an increase of 20-plus percent in sales in 2022, the company announced in a news release.

So, they decided to give a portion of those sales to classrooms in the United States.

A teacher at Hidden Hills Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona, asked for classroom items like fine tip markers and magnetic letters kits for her special needs students, who are kinesthetic learners.

The Meyer Photo + Video Group donated funds, along with other donors to make this possible and also funded the cost of processing, fulfillment, labor, and materials fees charged by Donorschoose.org, an online charity allowing people to donate directly to classrooms. It specifically connects teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help from afar.

Earlier in the year, the business helped provide Vanstory Hill Elementary School, a Title I school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with a Cricut machine.

The teacher, Mrs. Hardwick, shared in a thank-you letter, “This Heat Press will allow us to make so many more different kinds of craft projects. I have made stickers for all of my students and now I can venture into fabric. I am always humbled by the generosity when it comes to education. We are experiencing a challenging time in education right now, but we can make it through with the support of others.”

The company also donated towards an indoor scoreboard for Middle School 379, in College Point, New York. Teacher Mrs. Herbst explained, “Our school is only 5 years old and has never had a sports team before. Now that COVID protocols have been lifted, our students are finally being given an opportunity to participate in sports and play against other schools. Unfortunately, we are limited in supplies and resources to get our basketball program started.”

Mission Tiger, Kellogg’s primary pro social initiative dedicated to raising awareness and funding for school athletics matched donations on this project, as well.

The Meyer Photo + Video Group says that in previous years, the company has donated a variety of supplies, equipment, toys and more to different schools.

“We try our best to donate to different non-profits throughout the year” said business owner, Ashley Meyer. “When businesses make charitable contributions, sometimes classrooms are the last place funds are received. That’s why donating straight to the classrooms is so appreciated and needed. Often, we get letters and photos from students that show exactly how the fund are being used.”