Green Tree School uses $25K McDonald’s grant to bolster sensory-therapy program

Ever wonder what happens with the change you put in that little donation box at your local McDonald’s? Look no further than the Green Tree School & Services (GTSS) center in Northwest Philadelphia.

The Green Tree School — located on East Washington Lane — provides academic, social and life skills and vocational education to children aged 5 to 21 who have Autism or other significant learning, social and emotional challenges.

On Thursday, it unveiled a new multi-sensory room as part of its sensory-based therapy program.

The equipment in the sensory room, which includes image projectors, canopies, swings and colorful bubble machines and bean bags, were all purchased thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Philadelphia region of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Check-presentation event

Local McDonald’s owner and operator Kenneth Youngblood, and Ronald McDonald, presented the check to the Green Tree School at the official unveiling of the new room on Thursday.

Youngblood, a member of the Germantown community for 25 years, said Green Tree School was chosen to receive the grant because its goals are very closely aligned with that of RMHC.

“RMHC’s mission is to support the health and well-being of children, and this is also the Green Tree School’s main mission,” he said. “Every time you put your change in the canister in our restaurants, it goes to help programs like this. This is a beautiful place.”

School reaction

GTSS occupational therapist Christine Ruggerio said the new multi-sensory room will serve as a safe haven for students who often need a place to channel their energy.

“I think one of the ultimate benefits is just having a safe place in a world that is often times chaotic for them,” she said.

“So, being able to go to a place that is safe, and also very calming, is great because, realistically, a lot of them don’t have that at home,” she continued. “A lot of schools that have autistic-support programs are not as fortunate to have something quite like this.”

Green Tree’s chief operating officer Julie Alleman said she was pleasantly surprised that the school was selected to receive the award.

“I felt pretty good about our message but I think, going out for grants for the first time, you’re always a little bit nervous,” she said. “I was optimistic, but still really surprised in a really pleasant way that we were awarded it, because the first time around, sometimes that doesn’t happen.”

Why Green Tree?

According to RMHC spokesperson Shannon Wilson, the Green Tree School was chosen as the grant winner out of 30 other applicants.

“We select organizations that benefit the health and well-being of local children; whether it’s physical or mental well-being,” Wilson said. “Specifically, we look for organizations that are 501(c)(3), and they have to have a good standing in the nonprofit world.

“We know that this school had been in operation for a long time, and that they had recently moved to a new location and needed some funding. This funding will go to services that really help kids to be able to move and get those motor sensory skills that they need.”

All of the Green Tree School’s services — including behavioral health services, free breakfast and lunch, and free school supplies — are provided free of charge to families through financial support from area school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In 2013, RMHC provided grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to 17 organizations that directly support the health and well-being of children. The charity receives its support from McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s owners and operators, corporate donors and customers.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal