Community Outreach
AOBA is dedicated to making a significant difference in our community. Each year, Association members, along with hard-working volunteers on the Associates Coalition Team’s (ACT) Charity and Community Events Committee, focus on several projects to assist local nonprofits that focus on improving the lives of our region's children. These organizations benefit from AOBA’s generous contributions in terms of volunteer hours, in-kind services and direct funding.
AOBA's 2009 Community Outreach Programs Make Significant Impact
James E. Duckworth School
Each year, AOBA supports the James E. Duckworth School in Prince George's County, since this school for children with disabilities has ongoing needs that can not be met by the County's Board of Education. For example, in 2008, the Association successfully raised $7,000 to purchase a "Tango" communication device. In 2010, AOBA will raise funds for a cover for the school's playground.
In addition, each spring, AOBA staff and volunteers converge on the school for a Clean Up Day, prior to the school's Special Olympic Challenge Day in May. AOBA volunteers paint, plant, pick up trash. In 2009, we even built a bridge to the school's nearby park. Members are encouraged to plan to bring a team of volunteers for Clean Up Day in 2010. Details to come!
Offering unique services to students with disabilities who live in DC and Prince George's County, Duckworth's award-winning instructional program helps students achieve their personal best and attain maximum independence. Over the past decade, AOBA members have raised over $100,000. Pictured: AOBA member volunteers at the annual Special Olympics Challenge Day in May.
Scholarship Program
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| Pictured: AOBA's Lesa Hoover (far right) and Southern Management's David Hillman (far left) pose with 2009 AOBA Scholars at the annual scholarship awards program. |
In conjunction with Prince George's County Community College, AOBA sponsors an annual Scholarship Program for students in Prince George's County. Graduates of Prince George's County high schools may receive up to $6,000 in paid tuition to Prince George's Community College over a two-year period.
Since its inception in 1996, the AOBA Scholarship program has provided financial, mentoring and internship support to 96 Prince George’s County students. Most of these students have successfully completed two years of study at PGCC, and many AOBA Scholars are currently employed by AOBA member firms.
DC School Supplies
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Pictured: AOBA Past President John Ritz of William C. Smith (far right) delivered the calculators to Coolidge Principal Thelma Jarrett. Joining Ritz were Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), AOBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs for DC, Nicola Whiteman, Esq. (far left). |
For the 2009-2010 academic year, 39 AOBA members contributed more than $5,000 to purchase 40 graphing calculators for students at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in Ward 4.
AOBA will work with the DC school system to determine needs for the 2010-2011 school year, and will be in touch with members during the summer.
