Did you know SONIC donates a portion of every drink, slush, blast, and shake to support local public schools? Through the Limeades for Learning initiative, the SONIC Foundation donates to DonorsChoose school projects to directly impact classrooms and communities.
ChaQuirra Jones is an Arkansas elementary school teacher who first learned of the SONIC Foundation at a teachers’ reception. “Several educators received DonorsChoose gift cards from the SONIC Foundation,” recalls ChaQuirra. “It was amazing to hear those teachers share exactly how that money was going to benefit their classrooms.”
While the Foundation has donated more than $30 million towards DonorsChoose projects since 2009, SONIC began partnering with the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in 2024 to send educators to the two-day Ron Clark Academy Experience in Atlanta, Georgia. As a highly acclaimed, nonprofit middle school, the Academy doubles as a demonstration school where educators can learn and engage in proven best classroom practices.
ChaQuirra became one of those visiting educators this year, joining 800 SONIC Foundation-sponsored teachers representing 220 school districts. The Experience offered ChaQuirra immersive training that’s designed to help educators ignite a passion for learning, provide meaningful support, encourage academic excellence, and foster authentic relationships with students.
“I use what I learned at RCA on a daily basis. After the experience, I was so ready to get back to my school and share all the amazing ideas I’d received,” says ChaQuirra. “There are so many things I now incorporate in my classroom for my students – I allow more space for them to express themselves, I give more opportunities to communicate, and I help them navigate disagreements respectfully.”
“Attending Ron Clark Academy was the best experience of my life. I can’t put into words how appreciative I am of the SONIC Foundation – they made it possible for me and so many other teachers to attend, and I encourage anyone who plays a part in education to sign up and go. It’s life changing!”
From May 5 through May 12, the SONIC Foundation is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with exclusive SONIC Teachers’ Circle rewards program offers for educators and $250,000 funds donated toward 997 DonorsChoose public school projects.
Educator applications to attend the RCA Experience through the SONIC Foundation will open in Fall 2025. If you are a teacher interested in the Ron Clark Academy Experience, follow the Inspire Foundation on LinkedIn for the latest updates and program news.
To learn more about SONIC’s Limeades for Learning program, visit foundation.sonicedrivein.com.
