Sunmark and NewsChannel 13 Help Teachers Supply Classrooms

Sunmark Credit Union and the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation joined NewsChannel 13 for the second annual “Teacher Supply Surprise” program. The initiative was designed to help local teachers buy essentials for their classrooms and supplement school supply needs of financially disadvantaged students. According to the National Education Association, factors such as rising costs and lack of funding often result in educators self-funding classrooms, spending an average of $500 - $900 each school year. 

The ”Teacher Supply Surprise” contest ran from May to June, asking community members to nominate local elementary school teachers to win a $250 gift card to help purchase necessary classroom supplies for the upcoming 2026 – 2027 school year. Thirteen teachers were then selected and awarded the gift card to use during a group shopping spree and a spotlight feature on NewsChannel 13’s daily Teacher Feature.  

All 13 recipients joined representatives from Sunmark and WNYT for a group shopping event on August 26 at the Walmart in Halfmoon. In addition to providing gift cards, Sunmark Credit Union gave each teacher a Cricut for their classroom and covered any costs that exceeded the gift card amount.

The 13 winners of the Teacher Supply Surprise contest included:
1. Morgan Blizinski – Harmony Hill Elementary, Cohoes
2. Amy VanNostrand – Boulevard Elementary, Gloversville
3. Marc Giuliano – St. Jude the Apostle, Wynantskill
4. Stephanie Maes – Roessleville Elementary, South Colonie
5. Jenna Rivet – Stillwater Elementary, Stillwater
6. Jessica Madden – Green Meadow Elementary, East Greenbush
7. Caitlin Kelly – Albany Academy, Albany
8. Jody Pratt – Abraham Wing School, Glens Falls
9. David Hamilton – Rensselaer Park Elementary, Lansingburgh
10. Autumn Davidson – Waterford-Halfmoon Elementary
11. Dana Bass – William C. Keane Elementary, Schenectady
12. Taylor Wood – Glendaal Elementary, Scotia-Glenville
13. Jeanne Lance – Watervliet Elementary, Watervliet 

Watch the news segment of the shopping event here.