225GIVES
Welcome to the 225GIVES Campaign page. The purpose of our fund is to provide supplemental financial support to our dear high, dear Central High and to honor the memory of our classmates who have passed.
When you make a contribution through this page, you will then receive a receipt with the AACHS tax exemption information. Please use this page as a resource and revisit for updates. Information about our specific projects is provided below. Thank you in advance for your generosity and YAMO.
PROJECTS
Projects were identified and selected by a committee of our classmates in consultation with former CHS President Timothy J. McKenna. The prime criterion for project selection was the potential positive impact on students’ educational opportunities. Support for these projects, we believe, will also help position CHS students for success in college and beyond. CHS President, Kate Davis, 264, will be apprised of 225GIVES and her input will be invited.
We are pleased to report that 225GIVES, our memorial class gift campaign, has successfully completed its first project!
Monies raised through the 225GIVES campaign will benefit the Science department. We will continue to provide updated information as we have more, but for those who want to provide a lead gift, or make a gift, please read the below information or contact us directly.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
The following methods to contribute are available: by check; by credit card; by debit from your checking account; or by gifts of securities, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Please mail all checks to:
AACHS
Attn: 225Gives
PO Box 26580
Philadelphia, PA 19141
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION CONSIDERATIONS
Matching Gifts: If you are still employed, you may be able to take advantage of a matching gift program. Many companies match employee contributions, and some even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. Please check with your employer or click here to see if your employer matches donations.
GivingTuesday: One can make a pledge to 225GIVES to be paid on, or shortly before, Tuesday, November 29, 2022. You will be reminded of your pledge by AACHS. If you are not familiar with GivingTuesday, please visit givingtuesday.org.
IRA Distributions: If you are subject to an annual IRA Required Minimum Distribution, you can direct monies to qualified charities without realizing the contributed amount as income. Please check with your plan administrator.
Recurring Contributions: By establishing a recurring contribution, you may begin contributing now and spread your support over a period of time, e.g., monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Estate Planning: The AACHS can be named as a beneficiary in your estate plan. Click here to learn more about planned giving.
ALL GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Appropriate documentation to ensure that all gifts are tax deductible will be provided by AACHS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its Tax ID Number is 23-1618008.
The Alumni Office is happy to guide you through this process, if necessary. Please reach out to us at alumnioffice@centralhighalumni.com; call 215-845-3308; or visit the website. Thank you for supporting the AACHS through the 225GIVES campaign.
NOVEMBER 2024
Our initial 225GIVES effort has been successfully concluded with the renovation of two Social Studies classrooms, including furniture and equipment selected to enhance the department’s curriculum.
- At this point, we are hoping to have a ribbon cutting ceremony toward the end of the school day on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (2/25) to which everyone will be invited.
- One of the highlights of the ceremony will be the unveiling of two lecterns —one for each classroom— designed, built and generously donated by our classmate Rich Mantell.
- We want to install a plaque for each room announcing that the renovation and equipping are a result of the efforts of 225GIVES.
- We hope to arrange for virtual attendance as well. More details will be shared after the new year.
JULY 2024
In early July, Lisa Sheldon-Matje –“chair” of the Social Studies Department– sent the following:
“I confirmed with Jonathan Hayes, Central’s building engineer, that demo and construction of rms 230 + 232 are scheduled for this month. Supposed to start in 2 weeks. I took an inventory of the furniture and everything is assembled and ready to go. I will send some pictures when things are moving.”
We will continue to keep you apprised as our project moves to completion.
Assuming the work proceeds as currently contemplated, we hope to have a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime this fall. All members of the 225 will be welcome — and encouraged to attend!
It will be a great opportunity to not only see the new classrooms, but to also visit our ‘dear old high’ and perhaps recall some ‘memories’ that never die.
Thanks to the generosity of our talented and super supportive classmate, Rich Mantell, Rooms 230 and 232 will each possess a White Oak lectern adorned with Crimson and Gold accents, as well as a plaque acknowledging that the project was made possible through the generosity of the 225.
NOVEMBER 2023
- The furniture is on site at the school — assembled and ready to go.
- President Davis has accepted the construction quote, and has communicated with the contractor to determine if the work can be done during the school’s winter break.
AUGUST 2023
- Banner Installation – designed, financed, and supervised by Rich Mantell.
- All equipment and furniture has been purchased and delivered to Central High School.
JUNE 2023
- The two classrooms being upgraded will serve as a Social Studies Center for general studies, Mock Trial, and Debate competitions.
- A requisition for the needed furniture has been placed.
- Construction is estimated to take 8-9 weeks (the critical need for classroom space, given the size of the current student population, will hopefully serve to expedite this project).
- Two podiums will be built and donated for use in each classroom by Rich Mantell, a talented woodworker; he offered to design, build and contribute the podiums.
MARCH 2023
Our classmates were presented with the school’s proposal to update two Social Studies classrooms, making them more flexible and better equipped for today’s and tomorrow’s educational challenges.
- As Ms. Sheldon-Matje noted, with proceeds from 225GIVES, “the Social Studies department will be able to convert two classrooms into state-of-the art learning spaces that promote social learning and maximum engagement, while fully integrating technology.”
- The monies will go toward the necessary construction costs and the acquisition of the furniture and equipment needed to “transform the outdated classrooms into collaborative learning spaces that will empower students to work with each other to thoughtfully and creatively solve problems and discuss different perspectives.”
- Moreover, the new rooms will enable “flexibility in terms of class activities and give students more voice and choice in their learning environment.”
- Additionally, these rooms will also serve as “dedicated spaces for hosting students from area schools in extracurricular activities such as debate and mock trial competitions.”
- President Davis expressed her thanks and appreciation to 225 and indicated that she; other members of her staff —particularly Central’s building engineer, Jonathan Hayes; and Social Studies department personnel are working toward the successful completion of this project for the betterment of the Central High community.
JANUARY 2023
Goal Reached!
- Our goal to raise $55,000 for CHS by the time of the celebration of our 55 year reunion in October 2022 was reached. Thank you to the 101 classmates whose generosity and support helped us achieve our goal.
- Rich Mantell, Jeff Muldawer, and Stanley Sokolove —our 225GIVES Project Group— are working with the Social Studies Department to assure that your contributions are used in a manner that enriches student academic experiences and opportunities. Contributions help to support the Social Studies department renovation of two classrooms and may allow for enhanced instructional resources and further expansion into other social science disciplines beyond History, such as Psychology, Economics, and Political Science. Additionally, contributions to 225GIVES may provide funding towards resources and equipment for Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
