Parking and Transit Services presents check to ASU America Reads

ASU Parking and Transit Services (PTS) presented ASU America Reads with a check for $5,439 on Aug. 18. The 2016-17 PTS Benefactor Program recipient received the check in a ceremony at the H.B. Farmer Education Building atrium.

ASU students, faculty and staff can raise money for the Benefactor Program by bidding on a Benefactor Program parking permit.

“It is an honor to lend our support to the campus community in a way that heeds the call of the university’s design aspirations,” said Melinda Alonzo, PTS director. “We appreciate the opportunity to assist worthwhile programs with community outreach as well as foster student success.”

ASU America Reads, housed in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, is an after-school academic program for economically disadvantaged children in grades K–8. ASU America Reads hires ASU students as tutors.

“Not only does ASU America Reads benefit the community by increasing academic achievement in elementary and junior high students, but we are also giving ASU students an opportunity to serve a community need and gain real-world job skills,” said Faith Wagner, program coordinator. “We are deeply grateful to the PTS Benefactor Program. These funds will help us significantly as we continue to make a positive impact on our community.”

Benefactor Program recipients are awarded funds at the end of every fiscal year. Current donations will support next year’s recipient, the Hispanic Mother Daughter Program — a middle and high school program to increase the number of first-generation Arizonans who are qualified to attend ASU through direct family involvement.

Since 2012, PTS has donated more than $25,000 to Benefactor Program recipients. Past Benefactor Program beneficiaries include ASU’s American Dream Academy, Student Health Outreach for Wellness and the School of Art.