by ARCADIA, Wis. – Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC (Ashley) and Ashley Charitable Foundation (ACF) have made contributions in support of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics initiatives for the 2023-2024 school year. Annually, the awarded funds provide area students with hands-on robotics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. Since 2017, the organizations’ donations toward FIRST initiatives have benefitted over 1,250 students in North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In addition to a monetary donation, Ashley provides ongoing support to the Trempealeau County Robotics (TC Robotics) team who compete head-to-head with robots they have designed, built and programmed throughout the year. TC Robotics is comprised of high school students from Arcadia, Cochrane-Fountain City and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, Wisconsin schools and has been mentored and coached for the past seven years by Ashley employees. The team ended their season as the number one team in Wisconsin and 80th worldwide.
In North Carolina, ACF supported the Queen City Robotics Alliance (QRCA), an organization that provides students with mentorship and programs that focus on skill-based learning and technology. The donated funds will grow the local FIRST Robotics team and give area students an opportunity for competitive learning experiences.
“Education is the catalyst that propels us towards a brighter future. By investing in initiatives like FIRST Robotics and providing hands-on STEM education, we are equipping the next generation with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-evolving workforce,” stated Todd Wanek, president and chief executive officer, Ashley Furniture Industries. “We believe in the power of education to unlock limitless potential, and we are proud to support programs that inspire and empower young minds.”
The mission of FIRST is to provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence and resilience to build a better world. It prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after school programs.
“In today’s rapidly advancing and highly competitive landscape, STEM education is more important than ever. It is the foundation where innovation, growth and success are built,” stated Ron Wanek, founder and chairman, Ashley Furniture Industries. “We recognize the critical role that STEM plays in preparing individuals for the workforce of tomorrow. STEM education initiatives like FIRST Robotics hone the talent and passion of the next generation.”
Ashley is proud to continuously support education efforts and create meaningful educational partnerships that add value to our communities. By providing opportunities to these students, they can be prepared for a future filled with possibility, resilience and a drive to build a better world.
Hello,
I am the fundraising and sponsorship mentor for the community robotics organization Pie3 which hosts several local robotics teams, including the Robo-Lions First Robotics Team, They are a community team with families from several local schools and counties. Their home base is actually a former airport tower in Finksburg, Maryland in order to be central to many teens of the area! We have several team members that attend Liberty ,Century High Schools, Marriotts Ridge ( Howard County,) Baltimore County, Private Schools, home schooled , Westminster High school and more! . This is truly a community team that connects families from all over the state. They also host the largest First Lego League qualifying event in Maryland every January, last year they hosted over fifty six teams. Sponsors and fundraising partners are seen on their social media accounts, but also on banners and t-shirts at many outreach events, competitions throughout Maryland , Virginia and the United States as they have previously earned spots at the elite World level!
We are currently setting up fundraising nights and sponsorships for the upcoming year. We would like to know if your business is interested in partnering with the Robo-Lions for the upcoming school year. They are seen at many elementary science fairs, regional, state and world competitions. They have a large presence in the community and social media presence is growing daily.
The team also currently spends hours many nights and weekends at their workshop in Finksburg, MD working on more than just robots. When they work on programming and impact projects they only have hard folding chairs and tables. They would benefit from comfortable seating.
https://www.facebook.com/FRCTeam2199
https://www.instagram.com/robo_lions2199/
http://www.pie3.org
https://www.facebook.com/pie3robotics
https://robo-lions.org/
https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/2199
. We also have Google Forum available here to express interest https://forms.gle/Z1E68UvTXbfscbBd9
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Vanessa