Local teachers in Yuma granted $2,500 by Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers program

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Several local teachers had their classroom wishes come true on Tuesday thanks to one statewide program.

We spoke with one of the teachers who shared what her wish was and who made it possible.

Keri Alvarado, a kindergarten teacher here at Amerischools Academy North in Yuma, got the surprise call that she'd been granted $2,500 by the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers program.

Scott Leightman, the VP of Communications for the Fiesta Bowl said during the call "I'm excited to tell you that you were randomly selected to receive $2,500 for your classroom so, basically, congratulations, your wish has come true,".

Alvarado replied "Thank you! We could get more toys!" as her students erupted in cheers.

Alvarado is one of 500 teachers across the state who received the call that they've been selected.

She shares how this extra money will help out her classroom.

"Be able to get more hands-on stuff and explore more science that's what I put in for, just to get my kids to be able to do different things out of the classroom and to go places," says Alvarado.

The Wishes for Teachers program benefits students across Arizona by providing teachers with the resources they need to create a better learning environment.

Kristina Chumpol, the Chief of Staff & VP for Community Investment for the Fiesta Bowl, shares "We knew that far too often teachers were dipping into their own pockets to support the basic needs of their classroom so we really wanted to make an impact in that space,".

The program has been running for nine years.

Chumpol shared more about the program's success.

"When we think about supporting education, we know that teachers are at the heartbeat of that and so this program was born. Nine years later, we'll do 1.25 million alone this year but over the last nine years, thousands of teachers have been impacted by this program which is super exciting," she says.

Since the program's beginning, Yuma has had 16 recipients of the Wishes for Teachers grant.

This year, Alvarado isn't alone and is one of five total recipients in Yuma.

Chumpol shares more about the selection process.

"The goal of this program is to stretch to as many parts of Arizona as possible. How can we ever pick? Every teacher in this state is so deserving. Hopefully, while we have five teachers in Yuma this time, more teachers will learn about it and see about their wishes and hopefully apply next year," she adds.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the Wishes for Teachers program, applications are open every year throughout the month of September.