Ribbon Cutting Held at West Chatham Elementary for Completed Georgia United School Crashers Project

On Friday, July 31^st, representatives from Georgia United Credit Union gathered at West Chatham Elementary School to attend the ribbon-cutting for a new private calming space for over-stressed students to process their emotions. The school was selected earlier this year for one of five Georgia United School Crashers grant projects in 2026. West Chatham Elementary Principal Bridget Bryant-Gordon nominated her school for the makeover grant.

Volunteers worked on the space in a small room behind the cafetorium stage over the summer so that it would open in time for the new school year. This new SEL sensory classroom will be a great benefit to West Chatham Elementary as it will allow them to continue providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. The sensory room will create a safe and calming environment for students with sensory processing challenges.

This is the 13^th year of the Georgia United School Crashers Grant Program.  As of this year 86 School Crashers grants will have been awarded to various local communities with improvements estimated at over $3.2 million since 2014. Funding for the School Crashers program is provided by the Georgia United Credit Union, their 501c3 charitable Foundation, and generous donations made by community partners, with labor provided by volunteers. The Georgia United Credit Union Charitable Foundation is funded whenever members use Georgia United for a car loan, home loan, or checking account, a part of those funds are given back to the community through scholarships, financial education, or programs like School Crashers that deliver inspiring learning spaces that strengthen schools.