Over the past several months, Thea Foundation’s programs have helped support teachers across the state, including funding project needs to help secure supplies for students engaging in virtual learning during the pandemic. Without being able to host Thea’s annual fundraisers, donations are needed to help continue to be a resource for the 33,000 public school teachers in Arkansas. Longtime Thea supporters Greg and Eva Lathrop have graciously donated $25,000 to help fund Thea’s efforts to enhance arts education in schools and provide scholarship opportunities for students. We are pleased to kick off our challenge match to raise an additional $25,000 for Thea’s statewide programs with support from the Lathrops.
“Eva taught arts and movement to kids when she was a teacher, and we both believe in the focus of the Thea Foundation drive to support the arts in education,” said Greg Lathrop. The Lathrops’ contribution launches Thea Foundation halfway to its goal of raising $50,000 prior to the end of the year.
Three Ways to Give to Thea’s $25,000 Challenge Match:
- Give early today for Thea’s Day of Giving on #GivingTuesday.
- On December 6, take part in our second annual Thea’s Day of Giving on this special donation day in honor of Thea Kay Leopoulos’s birthday.
- Plan your end-of-year gift before December 31 and help support our statewide programs.
“We are deeply grateful for Greg and Eva Lathrop’s continued support over the years and look forward to furthering arts education in Arkansas schools in 2021,” said Thea Foundation Executive Director Nick Leopoulos. “Our programs are in great need of funding since we’ve been unable to host fundraisers this year so every donation truly matters as we remain an important resource for educators during this challenging time and beyond.”
Thea Foundation’s programs have adapted to accommodate teachers and students throughout the year. Thea’s 2021 scholarship competition season will begin in January with all competitions being executed online. Additionally, Thea’s Art Closet program has already funded over $65,000 worth of projects since school started in August, impacting over 21,000 Arkansas students this school year alone. Thea’s Arts Reconstruction program has also helped many teachers secure much-needed supplies to execute new visual arts mediums thanks to professional development supported by Thea Foundation.
Make your gift today at theafoundation.org/donate or contact Jennifer Owens Buie at jennifer@theafoundation.org or by phone at (501) 951-0374.
Featured photo of North Little Rock High School dance students. The NLRSH dance program is one of many in Arkansas that we are proud to support through Thea’s Art Closet.