Sonic's Limeades for Learning awards cash to schoolsSonic's Limeades for Learning awards cash to schools

Ron Ruggless

Sonic Drive-In is launching the third year of its Limeades for Learning campaign, which in the past has let customers direct more than half a million dollars in grants to public-school teachers and students.

The Oklahoma City, Okla.-based chain has donated more than $1.3 million to fund teachers’ projects since the program started in 2009. It partners with DonorsChoose.org on the initiative.

“By the end of this year's campaign, Sonic and its franchise partners will have donated more than $2 million toward funding teacher projects, but even more important is the number of teachers and students impacted, inspired and empowered thanks to Sonic customers,” Danielle Vona, Sonic Corp. chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

Consumers with valid email addresses can vote for classroom projects at LimeadesforLearning.com once a day and get additional vote codes, applied on special bag stickers, with any Sonic purchase.

This year, Sonic is upping the ante of its effort: If customers cast 1.5 million votes by Sept. 30, the company will give an additional $100,000 to projects.

Voters receive a coupon for a free medium Cherry Limeade, a signature Sonic beverage, for participating, if the 1.5-million vote mark is reached.

Sonic said more than 7,000 teacher projects have been submitted to the program as of Aug. 29, ranging from literature to science to art supplies. The projects with the most votes each week are awarded grants throughout the month of September.

According to DonorsChoose.org, teachers spend $1 billion of their own money each year for basic supplies and learning materials.

Sonic has more than 3,500 drive-ins in 43 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
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