Video: ‘Surprise!’ Crowdfunding-seeking teachers get Google gift, revealed at Highland Park Elementary

Almost 300 teachers who had nearly 400 crowdfunding projects listed on the website Donors Choose as of this morning got a big surprise that was revealed at West Seattle’s Highland Park Elementary: Google just “flash-funded” all King, Pierce, and Snohomish County teachers’ projects on the site.

One of those teachers, HPES kindergarten teacher Amanda Burke, got a visit from Mayor Murray, reps from DC and Google, and news-media reps, as part of the surprise announcement – here’s our video capturing the moment:

The “flash-funding” totaled $338,000. Part of it fulfilled Ms. Burke’s $1,769 request to buy four ChromeBooks and one Surface Tablet for her students. Every project included in Google’s $338,000 “flash-funding” donation around the region now has a message posted on its page, declaring it’s funded. Google has done this in more than half a dozen other cities too, including San Francisco and L.A.
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Kate September 15, 2014 (12:03 pm)

Wow! I’m impressed.

Cs in hp September 15, 2014 (12:27 pm)

This makes me cry, thank you Mayor Murray for making this announcement happen at HPE, and google- wow!

HP Gal September 15, 2014 (12:43 pm)

Go HPES!!! And hooray to teachers across the region! Donors Choose allows teachers to think outside the box and ask for items we can’t get from our districts. I have used it to fund audio equipment to allow kids to create podcasts in my classroom. Good stuff, and GREAT that they chose to make the announcement at HPES.

sam-c September 15, 2014 (12:43 pm)

oh wow! that’s so awesome!

westseattledood September 15, 2014 (1:12 pm)

That is some beautiful people.

Tears of joy! Go HPES!

E September 15, 2014 (4:06 pm)

Awww, so nice….

HC September 15, 2014 (5:39 pm)

What an absolutely wonderful thing to do!

Sarah September 15, 2014 (6:04 pm)

Well that’s the best news of the day!!!! LOVE good news like this!

Melissa September 15, 2014 (8:21 pm)

So glad this happened to HPES

heather September 15, 2014 (8:32 pm)

Just fantastic!

Ferryboat September 15, 2014 (8:37 pm)

I Came home tonight and checked my email to see that my DonorsChoose project had been funded for mock Newbery and Caldecott titles for my school library! With a small library budget of $800 for over 300 students, DonorsChoose is a godsend to my school library. It’s so great that the businesses in our area support teachers and their students, but I’d also like to give a shout out to my friends and family members that donate to my projects. I don’t work at a school where parents are able to donate to projects. Thank you to all who choose to donate to DonorsChoose projects. I love putting great books in the hands of my readers!