Ways to Give

Villa Maria Elementary has many programs which do not require any outlay of money from participants, just a little pre-planning on the part of the donor.

TARGET TAKE CHARGE OF EDUCATION

Every time you use your Target Visa or Target Guest Card® at a Target store or target.com, Target will donate an amount equal to 1% of Target Visa and Target Guest Card purchases made at Target and target.com, and 1/2% of Target Visa purchases made elsewhere, to the eligible K-12 school of your choice. Thanks to the Target School Fundraising program, schools have been able to pay for computers, playground equipment, field trips and uniforms for students whose families couldn't afford them.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Clip the Box Tops for Education labels from specially marked General Mills products and send them into school. You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more!  In addition to clipping the box tops, you can also visit the box top website at www.boxtops4education.com and register to shop at over 70 online stores like Oriental Trading Co., JCPenney and Lands' End.  A percentage of purchases comes back to support VME.

GIANT EAGLE APPLES FOR EDUCATION

The Apples For The Students program allows you to support VME by shopping at Giant Eagle. The school receives points on your purchases every school year.  In order to participate in the program, you must be a registered user with a Giant Eagle Advantage Card. You can register your Giant Eagle Advantage Card online at www.gianteagle.com or by calling toll free at 1-800-474-4777.

RECYCLE EMPTY INKJET CARTRIGES

Empty inkjet and laser cartridges can be recycled into dollars.  If you or your employer throw these items away, you can send them to VME for recycling instead.

CAMPBELL’S LABELS FOR EDUCATION

VME participates in the Labels for Education program. The program awards free educational equipment to our school in exchange for proofs of purchase from the Campbell family of brands. Just cut the UPC code from the product and send in to school.

SCRIP GIFT CARD

An additional reimbursement program that VME families have available is the

Gift Opportunities

PA EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM (EITC)
An opportunity for people who own their own business to receive tax credit for donations to the VME Scholarship Fund. Click here for more information.

VILLA MARIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUND
This fund is the cornerstone of giving to Villa Maria Elementary School. It is comprised of unrestricted giving from all sources to support school programs and activities. Teacher salaries, tuition assistance, technology, library books and building maintenance are all funded under this umbrella. Our students benefit from your generosity.

Note: Matching gifts are a great way to maximize your donation. If you or your spouse’s employer has a matching gift program, you can possibly double your donation. Ask your Human Resources department if you qualify.

MEMORIAL GIFTS
A gift in memory of a loved one can be a meaningful way to give to VME. A memorial gift can be made in one’s name to the School Fund and may be restricted or unrestricted.

GIFTS IN KIND
Non-cash gifts of property such as computers, library books, art materials, music and scientific equipment provide valuable resources for our school and students. A formal appraisal is required by the IRS for gifts in kind valued at over $5,000.00.

LIBRARY BOOKS
Many friends of Villa remember special people in their lives by donating a book to the school library. Books are often chosen as a memorial in honor of a deceased friend or family member. A bookplate with the deceased’s name will be place in front of the book.

Parents often chose a book when a child celebrates his/her birthday. A bookplate with the child’s name is placed in front of the book. The child being honored will be the first one to take the book out.