Paul Macaluso, CEO of The Krystal Company, will present a check for $3,000 to Orchard Knob Middle School on Monday, May 21 at 8 a.m. The grant money represents one of several awards made to Chattanooga-area schools by the recently established Krystal Foundation, which supports neighborhood schools and families across Krystal’s 11-state footprint. Krystal is holding its corporate-wide convention in Chattanooga from May 21-23.
“Our entire organization is passionate about participating in the communities we serve,” said Mr. Macaluso. “Krystal is committed to giving back, especially here in Chattanooga, where our story began. I’m grateful to Orchard Knob for the opportunity to be part of something special.”
Orchard Knob is celebrating its first year of having a band program. Participating students have a one-hour class every day of instructional band. There is no required fee for band, and any student can join. However, most students cannot afford to purchase or rent instruments and equipment. Providing school instruments allows every student the opportunity to be part of the band, which will perform at concerts, school sporting events and, in the future, a state music performance assessment.
“We have limited instruments and even less working instruments,” said Annece Holts, Orchard Knob’s band director. “This grant will greatly impact the number of students who can participate and their level of achievement.”
Created in 2016, The Krystal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports programs focused in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics), culinary arts, music and sports at local K-12 schools. Since its inception in 2016 the Foundation has awarded over $78,000 to 37 schools in 15 local neighborhoods. In addition to the Orchard Knob grant, Chattanooga-based George Stuart Elementary School is receiving funds to purchase mini iPads with shockproof cases to integrate technology with sports. And, The Krystal Foundation is providing Chattanooga-based Cleveland Middle School with grant funding to help students combine virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create lifelike learning experiences that are both immersive and interactive.
Orchard Knob Middle School is a Title 1 school helping to ensure that all students not only meet challenging state academic standards, but also achieve their fullest academic potential. OKMS is located at 500 N. Highland Park Ave. in Chattanooga.