Chevron ‘Fuels’ West Schools

New to Hawaii this year, Chevron U.S.A.’s “Fuel Your School” program benefited 110 public schools in the state in 2013, including 15 in West Oahu.

In partnership with the online fundraiser DonorsChoose.org, the national energy company contributed $1 for each customer purchase of eight or more gallons of gas at local Chevron stations, resulting in $350,000 to help fund eligible classroom projects here. The idea is to provide learning tools to improve education, especially in STEM subjects, to enhance tomorrow’s workforce — including the supply of engineers for Chevron. (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.)

Teachers applied for a wide variety of supplies and technology aids for their students, ranging from textbooks, literature and visual arts supplies to music and gym equipment.

“We know that Hawaii schools are facing some tough economic times,” said Chevron Hawaii community relations specialist Carina Tagupa. “Now more than ever, public and private collaborations are critical to the success of our students’ future. By working with innovative nonprofits, such as DonorsChoose.org, we can dramatically expand our investments to directly impact public school students.”

West Oahu classrooms on the following campuses won Fuel Your School grants: Kapolei, Ewa, Pearl City Highlands, Palisades, Keoneula, Pearl Harbor and Barbers Point elementary schools; Kapolei and Ewa Makai middles schools, Ilima and Aiea intermediate schools, and Kapolei, Waipahu, Aiea and Campbell high schools.