Allentown, PA (December 15, 2016)   Sheridan Elementary School was the recipient of a $25,000 donation from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, to help build the school’s new playground. On December 15 at 2:00 p.m., students and staff will gathered for an assembly with Phantoms players, the Phantoms’ mascot, meLVin, and representatives from Phantoms Charities. Phantoms players spoke on the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle and meLVin will delivered the special holiday gift – the donation.

Phantoms Charities donation supplements fundraising efforts that have already been coordinated by the students and teachers at Sheridan Elementary. Students collected pennies and Sheridan teacher Jennifer Priestas set up a GoFundMe site raising nearly $10,000. Additionally, significant contributions to this endeavor were provided by Air Products and Boyle Construction Management.

The goal is to build the new playground in Spring 2017 in partnership with Phantoms Charities, ASD, ASD Foundation, and the Sheridan school community.

Phantoms Charities mission is to strengthen the community by developing, instituting and operating charitable and educational programs and services aimed at improving the lives of children and adults in the Lehigh Valley and the surrounding communities, with a special emphasis on youth health, fitness, sports and education.

About Allentown School District

ASD serves more than 17,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools located throughout the City of Allentown, PA. The Allentown School District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. A shared vision of the community, parents, guardians, staff and faculty focuses on “Empowering Students for Life,” providing ASD students with the skills and academics they need to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866 and celebrating its Sesquicentennial throughout 2015-2016, serves students from 43 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent of households qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to providing safe learning environments in which all students have equal access to education programs and resources.

www.allentownsd.org