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Linda Anderson fondly remembers going downtown and visiting a bank on a field trip as a child.

“Of course, field trips were fun, but I remember how meaningful they were, too, getting to tour places behind the scenes,” said Anderson, chairwoman of the Enrichment Fund for the Guilford County Schools. “Field trips give children opportunities to learn more about things relevant to everyday life,” she said.

A private, nonprofit organization administered by volunteers, the Enrichment Fund provides financial support to the Guilford County Schools through teacher mini-grants and scholarships for low-income students to participate in enrichment learning activities, such as field trips.

Anderson is excited that, thanks to a new partnership with Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, more Guilford County children will be able to receive field trip scholarship money.

Jackson Hewitt donated $1,500 to the fund, and until April 15, each time a client has taxes prepared at their offices and mentions the partnership, Jackson Hewitt will donate $5 to the Enrichment Fund, and the person mentioning the partnership will receive a $25 discount on tax-preparation services. Jackson Hewitt, which provides full-service individual federal and state income tax return preparation, operates 21 Guilford County offices.

“We are delighted by this partnership because this year, as a continuation of last year and the economy being bad, our funds have been less,” said Anderson, who also is an English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher at the Hebrew Academy. “This money could mean the difference between a child going on or field trip or not; some families don’t have the extra $3 for a field trip.”

Anderson said the Enrichment Fund has received more applications for funds this year than usual.
“I don’t want to hear a child had to stay behind for lack of funds,” she said.

Ryan Murray, an area manager for Jackson Hewitt, said the company has had a relationship with the Guilford County Schools for a while, offering discounts to employees and sponsoring events.

“We wanted to get more involved in our community,” Murray said. “Guilford County Schools is such a great operation, and these kids are our future. What better way to be a good community partner?”

Murray said he is excited to be able to provide more opportunities for children to learn outside the classroom.

“When I was a kid, some of my greatest memories were field trips,” he said. “To help give that same opportunity to children in need makes this a worthwhile effort.”

Murray and Anderson said they both hope to expand their partnership, and Anderson hopes other companies will step up to help, as well.

“It’s an investment in our own future and the future of the kids,” Anderson said. “By broadening their horizons, it makes them excited about learning.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer. brown@news-record.com.