QUALITY CARE
CFP Foundation’s Support of AutoZone Liberty Bowl Helps St. Jude Patients and Their Siblings BY JAIME ARON
S
ince 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis has been saving and improving the lives of children stricken by cancer and other potentially fatal diseases. Three years later, Memphis began hosting the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, with the game taking on an important philanthropic role in the community. It’s only natural that the game and the hospital became teammates from the start. Flash forward about 50 years and the birth of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation. Through its flagship program, Extra Yard for Teachers, the organization is devoted to lifting educators, especially in the hometowns of bowl games. This emphasis on supporting education hit right at home in Memphis and at St. Jude. The Extra Yard for Teachers program has played a key role
life-threatening challenges,” said Steve Ehrhart, the game’s Executive Director. “The School Program allows the children to maintain their schooling and helps defray the disruption their lives are already facing. The St. Jude teachers are continuing the kids’ education, keeping them on track and also by following These families at St. Jude up with their schools back home.” are in such tough situations The program has dealing with life-threatening two aims: continuing challenges.” educational activities and working to help STEVE EHRHART prepare students to in supporting a unique part of return to the classes they were the hospital: the St. Jude School forced to leave behind. This Program, through which patients includes resources for teachers and their siblings continue their who may need assistance with K-12 education while in Memphis. accommodating students when “These families at St. Jude are in they return from treatment. such tough situations dealing with Students who enroll in the
4
DONATE NOW
program receive at least three hours of lessons per week. They’re encouraged to use books and assignments from their classrooms back home, and educators from the School Program coordinate with teachers from the patients’ and families’ hometowns. The program employs six teachers, including two coordinators for English as a Second Language and a school liaison. The facilities include classrooms, offices for each teacher, a computer learning lab and a parent/family waiting area. “It is an honor to partner with the Autozone Liberty Bowl to support the dedicated teachers at St. Jude Hospital,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “Through this grant, we are able to ensure that patients receiving care and treatment