Sunmark Credit Union and NewsChannel 13 Team Up to Help Local Teachers Supply Classrooms

Sunmark Credit Union and the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation joined NewsChannel 13 over the summer for the first ever “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 12 to June 1 for community members to nominate local elementary school teachers to win a $250 Walmart gift card to help purchase necessary classroom supplies for the upcoming 2025 – 2026 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 during the week of August 22.

The group shopping event was held on August 6 at Walmart in Halfmoon and was attended by all 13 recipients along with representatives from Sunmark and WNYT. In addition to the gift cards, Sunmark Credit Union also donated an assortment of supplies collected during their Teacher Supply Drive that the teachers were able to shop for free to help supplement their classroom needs. The drive, kicking off the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation’s Summer of Kindness, was held throughout the summer with collection bins placed in Sunmark Financial Centers for members to drop new school supplies.

The 13 winners of the Teacher Supply Surprise contest included:

Katie Bloomer, Van Rensselaer Elementary
Jessica Bruce, Whitehall Elementary
Ashley Torda-Ecuyer, Stuart M. Townsend Elementary
Krista Knudsen, Okte Elementary
Karey Wantuch, Stillwater Elementary
Megan Cherubino, Harmony Hill Elementary
Jamie Pink, Jefferson Elementary
Gabrielle Lamouree, Ballard Road Elementary’
Audrey McKernon, Argyle Elementary
Hilarie Patrizio, St. Mary’s School
Karen Smith, Hoosic Valley Elementary
Kacy Centi, Marie Curie Elementary
Catherine Regitano, Bell Top Elementary

The school supply program and winning teachers were highlighted in a thirty-minute capstone “Teacher Supply Surprise Special” that aired on NewsChannel 13 on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m.