The Academic Booster Club in Iron Mountain donates as much as $8,000 to classrooms every year
IRON MOUNTAIN -- Wendy Zambon has taught at Iron Mountain for 21 years.
Like most teachers Zambon has been feeling the pinch as the school's budget continues to dwindle.
But thanks to the help of Iron Mountain's Academic Booster Club teachers and students are getting the supplies they need.
"I have watched this particular organization give a number of worthwhile donations to our classrooms that we otherwise could never afford due to budget cuts," she said.
Much like an athletic booster club, Iron Mountain's Academic Booster Club donates supplies needed in the classroom, from graphing calculators for math students to standardized test prep classes.
The club operates separately from the school's general fund meaning the $4,000-$8,000 per year it donates goes directly to teachers.
It has been in existence for 14 years but has taken on new importance recently with all the budget cutbacks.
"We realize that the schools couldn't provide, in high school particularly couldn't provide everything that was needed to help enhance the education process for kids," said ABC member and parent Pete Anderson.
For teachers like Zambon any help in the classroom can make a difference. But in her mind the real winners are the students.
"It is a student need thing that is going on here as far as when they make it a priority," Zambon said. "It's not about us as teachers benefiting from any of these purchases. We just are happy to see it."
The group will have its annual fundraiser Saturday at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain.
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