Vantage West and iHeartRadio Launch Books and School Supplies Drive to Benefit Teachers and Students in Southern Arizona

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on September 9, 2025

In September, in honor of National Literacy Month, Vantage West Credit Union is partnering with iHeartRadio to host From Pencils to Pages, a books and school supplies drive, benefiting students and teachers across Southern Arizona.

Running from Sept. 8 – 20, the drive invites community members to donate new books, notebooks, and classroom essentials at any of Vantage West’s 14 Southern Arizona branches. All contributions will support Treasures 4 Teachers and Make Way for Books, organizations that provide vital resources to help children learn and grow.

“At Vantage West, we believe education and literacy are the foundation of a thriving community,” said Mark Papoccia, Chief Commercial and Impact Officer at Vantage West. “This drive is a way for all of us to come together to equip classrooms, empower teachers, and ensure students have the tools they need to succeed.”

Community partners echoed the importance of this effort. “Access to books in a child’s earliest years is one of the most powerful predictors of future success,” said Yissel Salafsky, CEO at Make Way for Books. “This generous drive by Vantage West not only puts books into the hands of young children who need them most — it shows our community’s commitment to equity in education. With every donation, we’re opening the door to imagination, language development, and lifelong learning for thousands of children across Southern Arizona.”

Educators will also benefit directly from the campaign. “Every notebook, pencil, and supply donated means one less item a teacher has to buy out of pocket,” said Adrienne Ledford, Executive Director of Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson.

Meanwhile, Treasures 4 Teachers (Tempe) emphasized the broader impact donations have across the Valley. “Every item donated represents both financial relief for a teacher and a spark of possibility for a student,” said Joy Klein, Executive Director of Treasures 4 Teachers. “Together with our partners in Tucson, we’re building classrooms full of opportunity and helping educators inspire the next generation of learners.”

The initiative is part of Vantage West’s broader commitment to supporting education and community well-being.

Posted in Arizona, Community Impact, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.