Naco, AZ — Continuing its efforts to create partnerships in the community that benefit individuals with additional needs, Bisbee nonprofit Premier Alliances, Inc. has donated $6,000 to the special education classrooms of the Naco Elementary School District.
The School District Governing Board accepted the donation at its meeting on June 6.
The majority of the funds will go toward the purchase of materials and supplies directly requested by the school’s special education teacher to be used in their classrooms, including white boards, lesson books, storage, and cookware.
The donation will also help offset the cost of field trips for these students.
“The Naco Governing Board, our Special Education department, and myself cannot thank Premier Alliances enough for their generous donation to our school and our exceptional students,” said Rusty Taylor, Superintendent of the Naco Elementary School District.
“We are looking forward to using their donation to purchase needed items and field trips that will support our exceptional students in their learning journeys,” Taylor said. “And moving forward, we are excited about our new partnership with Premier Alliances and the great work we will do together for our students and our community.”
While it now operates primarily as an employment agency for adults with disabilities, Premier Alliances began over 60 years ago in Bisbee as a means to provide educational opportunities for Bisbee children with additional needs. This donation, like previous donations to the Sierra Vista and Bisbee school districts, reflects that history.
“Over sixty years ago, Premier Alliances was founded under the name the Little Red School House. Although our name has changed several times, our mission has remained faithful to those that we serve,” said John Charley, CEO of Premier Alliances.
“Today, it is the hope of Premier Alliances that this initial donation will be the beginning of a long-term partnership with the students and teachers of the Naco Elementary School District,” Charley said.
Founded in Bisbee in 1962, Premier Alliances, Inc. provides full- and part-time employment opportunities to adults with disabilities in Cochise County, including groundskeeping on Fort Huachuca, and janitorial services at the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station. Additional community efforts include the purchase and installation of accessible exercise equipment in public parks, donations of low-vision equipment and children’s books to area libraries, and the Founders Scholarship, which supports the educational goals of individuals with additional needs and their caretakers.
