Joan and Ron are long time supporters of SchoolBOX. Having heard SchoolBOX founder Tom Affleck speak at an event, they were intrigued by the SchoolBOX mission, as it aligned with their own beliefs that education is essential to break the cycle of poverty and improve the outcomes for individuals and the community. When SchoolBOX was active in Nicaragua, Joan and Ron had the opportunity to fund and dedicate a classroom in a rural part of the country in memory of Joan’s parents. It was especially significant for Joan as she was raised in a rural environment and her mother was a teacher. Their support not only funded the school, but also provided school supplies for students.
As SchoolBOX shifted focus over the last few years to Treaty #3 territory in Canada, they hope their philanthropy can be used in a tangible way to support Indigenous people in Canada and to assist the First Nations communities to develop resources that foster education. Joan and Ron’s passion for education is what leads them to support the SchoolBOX mission of closing the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and children in Canada.
When we asked them why they enjoy giving to SchoolBOX they replied, “we enjoy giving to a local and grassroots organization, both on the administrative side, but also on the recipient side. We appreciate that the recipients are involved in the planning and implementation of the programs. The staff are dedicated and caring.” Our hope at SchoolBOX is that as we partner with First Nations communities, we do so with humility, respect for the culture, and with a collaborative nature.
Joan and Ron have made a significant impact on the SchoolBOX story, and have been integral to its success. To anyone who might be interested in supporting SchoolBOX, they want to say, “Involvement of community members is essential. SchoolBOX is a small but mighty charity whose principles and service model are based on meeting the needs of communities, as identified by the communities themselves. We wish more people were aware of SchoolBOX and it’s work!”
Thank you, Ron and Joan, for being amazing cheerleaders and supporters of SchoolBOX for many years. Your dedication to philanthropy and your heart for education is inspirational to us all!
