US Airways Unveils New Field Trip FUNd Program to Support Education Adventures

US Airways announced details of an education program, the Field Trip FUNd, which awards $500 grants to Title I public schools in the airline's hubs and focus cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

According to an Aug. 15 release, the US Airways Field Trip FUNd will absorb the ground transportation costs for educational field trips, providing the opportunity to enrich and extend classroom studies.

Almost half of superintendents surveyed by the American Association of School Administrators in 2008 said they were reducing field trips due to budget cuts and rising energy, fuel and ground transportation costs.

Julie Coleman, US Airways director of community relations, said, "We want to help schools in need by alleviating the burden of some of these costs."

"Countless schools have told us that even when we waive our nominal fees, they can no longer afford the bus rental to get to our facility," said Gwen Borowsky, CEO, National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. We have witnessed the transformative impact our life skills curriculum has on at-risk youth. US Airways' new Field Trip FUNd will enable us to reach more children who urgently need our support."

The grants may be applied for by teachers, school administrators, club advisors and parent volunteers located within the geographic parameters of the airline's three hubs and focus city. The schools that apply must have a minimum 70 percent Title I student population (students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals as determined by the State Board of Education). Preference will be given to schools in which children of US Airways employees are students.

A $500 grant will be awarded directly to schools to be utilized for field trip ground transportation needs such as buses or gas. Applications are now available and must be submitted by Oct. 1.

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,000 daily flights to 1,185 airports in 185 countries.

More information:

www.usairways.com/corporategiving

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