Coca-Cola Donates $50K to R.E.A.C.H.

Office of Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui courtesy photo.

A $50,000 check from The Coca-Cola Company was recently provided to members of the Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture and Health (R.E.A.C.H.) Out Hawai’i Board.

The nonprofit corporation provides support to intermediate and middle school programs in Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui’s  R.E.A.C.H. initiative.

“Thanks to Coca-Cola Hawai’i’s charitable support, more of Hawai’i’s intermediate and middle school students will be able to participate in the R.E.A.C.H. initiative,” said Lt. Governor Tsutsui.  “Because of Coca-Cola’s generous donation, after-school learning programs for our keiki will be expanded.”

Fourteen schools and a total of 3,000 middle and intermediate public school students take part in after-school programs.

R.E.A.C.H. officials say the studies show that after-school programs keep students in safe environments where they are engaged in learning, ultimately improving academic performance, school attendance, behavior, and health.

“Our company understands that the middle school years are a critical time in a child’s life.  And we’d like to do our part in providing resources like R.E.A.C.H. to students, with the hope that it will help them to lead successful lives,” said Joyce Sahara-Nagashima, Coca-Cola Hawai’i Plant Manager.

“We are extremely grateful that Coca-Cola has recognized the significant impact this initiative is making on Hawai’i’s youth,” said Lori Ann Lum, R.E.A.C.H. Out Hawai’i Board of Director.  “Our students deserve quality after-school programs that enhance and engage them in learning.”

Since the initiative launched in 2014, 21 schools have benefitted from R.E.A.C.H.