DonorsChoose®

As a GBU member, you can contribute to supply needs in your local classrooms, wherever you live, through DonorsChoose.

DonorsChoose is one of the new charities that GBU is supporting through the One Member at a Time program. DonorsChoose enthusiastically describes its mission: “We make it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.”

GBU has become a 2023

Contributing Regional Sponsor of MADD NY|NJ|PA!

This expands a long-time relationship between GBU and MADD in the greater Pittsburgh area. MADD is also a new charity supported through GBU’s One Member at a Time program. To learn more please visit madd.org.

MADD’s mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. All funds raised locally stay in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to benefit MADD’s victim services, educational programs, law enforcement support and additional community activities.

As a crowdfunding platform, DonorsChoose vets all requests, purchases the supplies and sends them to the teacher once the funds have been raised. Donors receive thank you messages from the teacher.

Visit the DonorsChoose website (donorschoose.org), click “Find a classroom to support” and search by topics, teachers, schools and geographic locations.

GBU’s first corporate team of employees and family members (shown right and below) participated in Walk Like MADD Pittsburgh on May 7, 2023. They joined Team Jim, organized by member Jon Naser, and Team David, organized by member Pam Ondash. Collectively, GBU members raised $4,332, that grew to a total of $8,664 as part of their Give Back Group and GBU’s matched donations.

You might be surprised what a neighborhood teacher may need! We encourage you and your fellow GBU members to donate and help teachers and students in your community!

There are more Walk Like MADD events coming up! Visit walklikemadd.org and consider participating in one of these GBU-sponsored walks:

2023 Walk Like MADD Philadelphia

2023 Walk Like MADD Staten Island

2023 Walk Like MADD Westchester

2023 Walk Like MADD Capital Region Springs, NY

09/24/2023 Philadelphia Zoo

09/30/2023 Clove Lakes ParkStaten Island, NY

10/14/2023

10/15/2023

FDR State Park - Field 4 - Yorktown Heights, NY

Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga

If you submit your team as a Give Back Group, you can have the funds you raise matched by GBU!

Charles Simms, David Krainbucher and Maxwell Channells were the Butler team members. Charles will attend Duquesne University Honors College in the fall for marketing. David and Max will be high school seniors. After graduating, David plans to major in chemical engineering, and Max plans to major in multimedia then work in the TV or movie industry.

“I am so appreciative of GBU Life for sponsoring this fantastic opportunity for my students,” said Ms. Stephanie Peters, the Butler team’s coach, high school gifted coordinator and math teacher. “In the years I’ve been working with High Q, I have heard multiple conversations about trying to find a sponsor for this program. This year, I have heard nothing but positive things about the relationship with GBU Life. I think that GBU Life is a perfect sponsor for KDKA High Q, and I hope this continues.”

GBU presented Butler Senior High School with a $4,000 check and individual $1,000 checks to the students as awards for their achievement.

GBU employees donned crazy headgear on MADD Hat Day to increase awareness about the walk, sign up participants and raise some funds!

GBU spurred competition among students from 81 Pittsburgh area schools as the 2022-2023 sponsor of the quiz bowl “KDKA High Q brought to you by GBU Life!”

A team of three students from each school competed against other teams by answering trivia questions in a variety of subjects. Uniquely, the competitions are held virtually, with teams live streaming from their schools. During the second competition, the team from Butler Senior High School in Butler, PA, scored a perfect game by answering every question correctly. The team went on to win first place in the High Q finals!

The GBU Foundation is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, as October 23, 1963, was GBU's official founding day!

The GBU Foundation will launch a Day of Giving campaign on October 23, 2023, to mark the occasion. ON THAT ONE DAY, we will encourage GBU's 70,000 members throughout the United States to unite and donate to increase the GBU Foundation's impact on their communities. You can support two GBU Foundation programs on the GBU Foundation Day of Giving.

Sixty years ago, GBU Life founded the GBU Foundation and its scholarship program to encourage and assist GBU members in furthering their education. GBU believes that education is a crucial tool for success in life and that all members deserve the opportunity to advance their education.

Your generosity will encourage GBU scholars to focus on academics, athletics and other formative activities instead of education costs. You will help GBU members nationwide realize their dreams to become doctors, teachers, architects, lawyers, artists and leaders in other professions in their communities.

In 2024, the GBU Foundation will launch a new initiative to award significant monetary grants to non-profit organizations enriching their communities in each of GBU's four Community Pillars— Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support.

When you and other members pool your resources for this program, your generosity will provide deserving community organizations, including those important to you, the opportunity to receive grants that may be larger than GBU's matching funds programs.

You will be able to give online or by check for the GBU Foundation Day of Giving. Watch for specific instructions in the next issue of The Reporter as well as in mailings, the GBU Member Community, GBU member emails and social media posts.

When you give $60 or more, you will become a member of the GBU Foundation 60th Anniversary Club and be eligible to receive GBU Foundation 60th Anniversary Club gifts as tokens of appreciation for your generosity. You can find out more about the Anniversary Club on page 64.