PVSD Receives $29K from Univest for Technology

The following was submitted by the Perkiomen Valley School District:

The PVSD Foundation is proud to announce that it recently received a $29,000 contribution from Univest Bank and Trust Co. through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

The money has been designated to pay for approximately 30 devices and a cart to store the machines at Skippack Elementary School. The devices will be used by students across grade levels to access information connected to their learning in all subject areas. 

“We have long admired Univest’s commitment to the communities they serve, and are proud to be able to call Univest our partner in education,” said Cindy Hickey, PVSD Foundation Acting President. “Their contribution will help the district to continue expanding its anywhere-anytime learning opportunities for students.” 

Jeff Schweitzer, who is President and CEO for Univest Corporation, parent company of Univest Bank and Trust Co., is also a parent at Skippack Elementary School. “Supporting our communities is one of Univest’s core values and education happens to be the largest area of focus for our philanthropic efforts,” said Schweitzer. “We take a holistic approach to our support, which allows us to get involved in the classroom in addition to giving financially.  In 2013, Univest employees presented a variety of financial topics to more than 3,000 students.”

Skippack Elementary School Principal Ryan Stanson-Marsh said the devices being purchased through this donation will be integrated into regular classroom activities to reinforce what students are learning in different subject areas.

“This donation supports our effort to have students create using technology as they work through the curricula.  We appreciate the support Univest has demonstrated and appreciate their willingness to partner with Skippack on such an important effort,” he said.

Univest donated the money to the PVSD Foundation through the state’s EITC program, which is offered through the Department of Community and Economic Development and allows tax credits to businesses that contribute to a scholarship organization, educational improvement organizations or pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations. Tax credits are equal to 75 percent of the contribution up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year.

About PVSD Foundation

The Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that enhances and enriches educational opportunities for PV students through grants and scholarships to teachers. So far this year, the Foundation has supplied over $61,000 in funding to teachers of all levels for programs and technology used in the classroom.

About Univest

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary, Univest Bank and Trust Co., has $2.2 billion in assets and $2.5 billion in assets under management and supervision.  Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for consumers, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Univest delivers these services through a network of 40 offices in southeastern Pennsylvania extending to the Lehigh Valley, Maryland and online at www.univest.net.   

In the attached photo, from left to right: Skippack Principal Ryan Stanson-Marsh, Univest President and CEO Jeff Schweitzer, and PVSD Foundation Acting President Cindy Hickey. In the front row, from left to right, are Skippack Elementary School students Madison Schweitzer, Sarah Hickey, Caroline Hickey, Gracen Hickey and Abby Schweitzer.