Let’s briefly revisit the Starbucks Digital Network. The last time I wrote about the Starbucks Digital Network, it was new, having recently been launched in October 2010. If you are inside a Starbucks store, here is the digital network url:
Though it may be a treasure trove of content so you can spend hours with a Double Tall Mocha and reading the Wall Street Journal online, I want to highlight a really cool, and perhaps less well-known partnership: Donors Choose. You will find the link to “Donors Choose” under the “My Neighborhood” tab when you are on the SDN home page. If you want to follow DonorsChoose on twitter, click here.
DonorsChoose is an online charity connecting people who want to give to a classroom in need of supplies directly with the school, and specific classrooms. You can browse by geography and find a classroom close to you. When you are visiting the main page, click on “view projects” and then you can search by keyword. You don’t have to give a lot. You can give as little as $1.00.
Your money might end up going to paper supplies, pencils, books, or even towards the latest technologies in a classroom. The classrooms are in schools that serve poorer students, who would otherwise struggle to come up with everything they need without your help. I donated to a classroom in Florida where a teacher wants her children to have ipads to use as a learning tool.
Consider this your brief introduction to DonorsChoose. I assume that many of my readers have never taken any time to browse the Starbucks Digital Network, and this is just one great example of the kinds of unique things that you might find there that you would never expect. And you can give to a great cause: Education.
This is a weekend open thread. Feel free to discuss anything related to Starbucks.
(The Starbucks Digital Network is only in the United States, as far as I know).
Edit on 1-29-11: From the comments to the blog, a special education teacher pointed out this classroom in need:
http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/309176
^ Just want to mention this as an example of the many classrooms in need and this one with special ed students!
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Thanks Melody for enlightening me about Donors Choose.
I like being able to give to a cause where I know that the dollars will go directly to the cause and not to administrative or advertising costs.
Hi, Did you know starbucks is teaming up with Donors Choose to help public school teachers? http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=501795&challengeid=29310
Hi Suzanne! I’m glad you like this too. I am sure that because of how big Starbucks is, it can really bring some great visibility to this non profit. Think of all the classrooms we can help. Back when I was kid, schools provided all the supplies for the year for kids, but I think those days are long gone.
Have donated several times already to Donors Choose. Great site and love giving to the classroom. Our daughter was a teacher for Teach for America so she told us about it. On another topic since this is an open thread- since it is cold here and we have had our share of snow storms, I am impressed with the fact that my local SB has been open even if they open a bit later than usual. Also, it has been quite jammed with people. Even the District Manager worked the floor!
Happy to see all the positive buzz about Donors Choose. As a public school teacher who has not had a raise in three years it is difficult to dig into your own pockets each paycheck. Donors Choose allows us to ask for what we feel we specifically need for our class. I was transferred from third grade special ed. in Oct. to Pre-K so I need everything…including books.
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=375130&challengeid=33220
That is really great purple1! I am sure your donations were so appreciated. I had never heard of DonorsChoose before, and a Starbucks partner brought them to my attention.
I am amazed your store has been open in the snow. If we get even a couple inches of snow, this city shuts down. A couple of years ago we had snow and then a big freeze! Everything was slick! And there were some Starbucks that managed to stay open. We just don’t get snow like you do. And sometimes I hope for snow!
Hi DonorsChooseTeach! Welcome to the blog! In this case, buzz is good. I think everyone knows that teachers can’t afford to dig into their own pocketbooks, and in this economy people are struggling more, and probably there are fewer donations generally. I am happy to bring some attention to your classroom! Special ed must be tough. We want your kids to avoid growing up being my clients: I work in criminal defense, and a really great education is a place to start preventing crime!!
PS: Hope you like Starbucks too, and hope you will “Like” the facebook page (link in right column)
Very good intro. to te site!
@Melody: wow! when you were in school supplies were provided??? that’s amazing!!! All thru the ’50’s and ’60’s here in the Chicago Public Schools, NOTHING was supplied (except text books, which stayed with schools, yr to yr). Otherwise, not a pencil, pen, eraser, notebook, folder, paper (except for spelling tests in grade shcool!), paints….zero, nada, nothing.
Today, however, is a different story in the CPS sysytem. Students ARE given backpacks filled with supplies at the start of the yr. The text books still stay with schools and are used yr to yr. ( in many suburban schools, students must buy their books)
Wow. amazing stuff……. and how tmes change, and are different, place to place.
Donors choose has been wonderful for my classroom. Consider donating here: http://www.donorschoose.org/donnapitts Thanks so much!
Ethos® Water, (STARBUCKS)RED, etc. Starbucks does many contribution to society, for America and foreign countries.
Speaking of support to the school, I remember that. “Brewing Together Day of Service” gave many children a dream by Starbucks and MSNBC Morning Joe.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#34060276
Also the support of the Fourth of July fireworks in Seattle.
That’s reason why I have deep interest in Starbucks. 😀
Donors Choose is an amazing site that has helped me to fund several projects for my students who attend a charter school in South Central Los Angeles. I can not tell you the excitement they have when they see boxes being delivered to the class knowing that there is something new and exciting in them! If you are interested in donating, I have two projects on the site now, or feel free to peruse the other projects and give to one that speaks to you! 🙂
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=567170&challengeid=79410
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=566741&challengeid=79410
Hi,
There is an exciting Donors Choose campaign taking place right now called “Tomato Nation” and we are on the threshold of raising $100,000 in two short weeks. Please take a moment and check out our school system’s giving page. Every dollar helps and you can give as little as $1 to a project to make a difference in the life of a child. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/viewChallenge.html?id=155807&category=241&max=25
Hey all,
I am a new chemistry teacher at Jordan High School in Watts, in South Central LA. I am currently trying to raise money for a projector to be used in my classroom for my 215 students… please take a moment to check out the page and to donate if you can! Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Erica, I went and looked at your page on Donor’s Choose –
http://www.donorschoose.org/ms.duh
I hope you get the funds you need. Have a projector sounds like it’s a basic thing you should have. Thank you for dropping by StarbucksMelody.com.
I would ask that you consider poking around this blog, clicking “like” on the blog’s facebook page, and joining a petition that I have got going too:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/join-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-end-political-campaign-contributions/
Take care, Melody