MEF and Comcast Center Partner for Mansfield Teacher Recognition

The Mansfield Education Foundation (MEF) has announced an annual partnership with local entertainment venue, Comcast Center, to help provide even more financial assistance to Mansfield school teachers.

Beginning this year, the Comcast Center will donate matching funds up to $500 in total for all Teacher Recognition donations made to MEF between now and June 30, 2012.

MEF’s “Teacher Recognition Program” offers parents and the community a unique way to honor and thank our educators for his or her service and dedication.  By participating through this program, parents have the opportunity to offer a ‘gift’ that will not comprise the policy on ethics and gift giving in our schools.

“We think that there are so many teachers and staff in the Mansfield Schools that go ‘above-and-beyond’ for their students and they should be recognized,” said Marybeth Cragan, MEF President.  “Our program offers parents a way to acknowledge these valued educators through a contribution that will assist them in continuing the amazing work and programming that takes place in the classroom.”

“Comcast Center is proud to partner with MEF to help Mansfield Schools with this annual donation,” said Bruce Montgomery, General Manager of the Comcast Center in Mansfield. “We think this program is an outstanding way to creatively fund local schools, recognize talent in our classrooms, and assist with the budget challenges communities are facing.  Comcast Center has always enjoyed working with the schools whether it is as a concert venue for Mansfield student musicians or graduations.  We hope families will take advantage of this amazing opportunity by making a matching gift to their favorite educator.”

How the Program Works:  Parents can recognize a classroom teacher, staff member, or administrator for their dedication, impact on your child or special programming (music/arts/physical education). You can make a donation in that individual’s name via the MEF website www.MansfieldEducationFoundation.org in any dollar amount.  Through the current matching funds program, Comcast Center will match your donation dollar-for-dollar.   The recognized teacher receives a beautiful certificate with his or her name as well as the name of the donating family.   All proceeds go toward the funding of grants to Mansfield educators.

“While the program is fairly new, we are very pleased at the initial response from both teachers and parents.    We are thrilled to partner with Comcast Center and Mr. Montgomery as our very first annual matching funds sponsor.  Having the support of local businesses will make a huge difference in our classrooms and ultimately for our students. We hope parents will use the TRP for end-of-the-year gifts!” added Cragan.

Founded in 2010 by a group of concerned parents, Mansfield Education Foundation (MEF) is an independent, non-profit 501(c) 3 charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the academic lives of Mansfield’s children by financially enriching and supplementing the classroom curriculum. MEF accomplishes this goal by providing monetary grants to Mansfield educators for innovation in education. Led by Mansfield residents, parents and local business professionals Marybeth Cragan, Nancy Breef-Pilz, Erika Reynolds, and Linda Fernando, MEF is the only non-profit foundation in town awarding direct grants and raising funds through corporate and private donations, fundraising events and Teacher, Student and Community Recognition programs. For more information or if you are a local business that is interested in becoming a matching funds partner, please contact MEF via email at info@MansfieldEducationFoundation.org.