Comedian Stephen Colbert last week funded nearly 1,000 projects for more than 800 teachers in South Carolina schools.
Colbert's donation of $800,000 funded projects at 375 schools, including 13 schools and 30 projects in Aiken County. Colbert gave the donation to teachers who had listed projects on donorschoose.org.
One of those fulfilled projects was posted by Adrienne Robinson, the dance educator at East Aiken School of the Arts.
Robinson requested textured balls and other items to help special-needs students with sensory and mobility functions in dance. The items will give special-needs students something tangible they can touch and feel, which helps them concentrate on the classroom activity and gives them to the confidence to rock to the beat or tap their feet as they listen to the music, she said.
"Receiving the grant will make a big impact," Robinson said. "Most of the students here are able to participate fully in the class, but some of the special-needs students are not able to because they don't quite understand the concept, or they're afraid to join in with the rest of the students. If these students are able to feel comfortable and feel a part of the class, I think that will make a big difference to them, and they might want to step in and join in and try something new. I love for all of my students to participate."
Another project now funded will bring new music stands for the band students at North Augusta High School, from a funding request posted by the school's director of bands, Chuck Deen.
"Today was pretty exciting," Deen said last week in a Facebook post. "A couple of months ago, I decided to give DonorsChoose a shot and see if we could get some new stands for the NA band. After the generosity of a dear friend, a former student, an anonymous donor and the overwhelming generosity of comedian Stephen Colbert, the kids are getting 18 new music stands. There is a lot of good in the world thanks to the donors who chose to support education in South Carolina. Pay it forward, friends, and support a person or organization in need."
Colbert announced the donation via a video feed from a conference in New York.
"Using the proceeds of the sale of my old set on 'The Colbert Report' which we auctioned off, and with the generous matching funds from The Morgridge Family Foundation and ScanSource, DonorsChoose is going to flash-fund all 1,000 projects in South Carolina," Colbert said in a video that was aired at Alexander Elementary School in Greenville, according to The Greenville News. "Enjoy your learning, South Carolina."
Colbert left his post at his Comedy Central show and will now take the reins for the 'Late Show' on Sept. 8.