Spend a few minutes inside a thriving school and you can feel it almost immediately. Students are engaged. Families are involved. Educators are supported. There is an energy that extends beyond the classroom, creating a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through the doors.

That kind of environment doesn't happen by accident. Much like the human body, a healthy school depends on many interconnected parts working together. With students at its heart, a network of families, educators, volunteers, and community partners provides the encouragement and opportunities that support the entire community. Parent-teacher associations (PTAs) often serve as a vital link within that network, connecting people and resources in ways that strengthen a school's impact.

With the students being the heart of the school, the PTA at Arongen Elementary School in Clifton Park, New York, is one of the forces that helps keep it beating. Fittingly, Arongen means "to understand" in Mohawk, an Iroquois language, a value reflected in the school's strong culture of support and connection.

This passionate group of volunteers pours countless hours, tremendous dedication, and a whole lot of care into supporting students, families, and staff. Through fundraising, volunteerism, and community-building, they help keep opportunities flowing to students while strengthening the fabric of the school community.

For PTA volunteer Megan Beck, supporting students and strengthening connections across the school community is the primary mission of the organization.

"We want to support the school and make it the best experience possible for the kids," she said.

One of the tools helping the Arongen Elementary School PTA expand opportunities for students is Hannaford Helps Schools, a program that transforms everyday grocery shopping into meaningful support for local schools.

The Arongen Elementary PTA is guided by a simple question: How can we make school even better for our students?

The flexibility of the funds earned through Hannaford Helps Schools helps transform great ideas into meaningful student experiences.

One memorable investment was the purchase of three outdoor basketball hoops. While the purchase may seem simple, its impact extends far beyond the equipment itself. The hoops provide students with opportunities to stay active, build friendships, practice teamwork, and enjoy the kind of unstructured play that is an important part of childhood.

And the funds can be used when celebrations are in order. When music teacher Kayla Whisenhunt revived the school's fifth-grade play program after it had disappeared during the pandemic, the PTA was able to help support a celebration for students following their production of Finding Nemo.

Additional funds have helped with school signage projects and fifth-grade recognition gifts.

As Beck explained, the PTA takes pride in supporting initiatives that enhance the student experience. "We are a school that likes to say yes," she said.

Like any healthy ecosystem, a strong school community grows through consistent care, shared purpose, and the contributions of many people working together. The Hannaford Helps Schools program has provided an easy way for families and community members to invest in students' success, and in 2026, the results were remarkable.

Arongen Elementary School earned $6,037 through the program, up significantly from the $939 raised the previous year.

That growth didn't happen by chance.

A few years ago, while reviewing PTA finances, Beck noticed a line item for Hannaford Helps Schools and learned that the school had been receiving annual checks without actively promoting the program. Curious about the program's potential, she began researching how other schools were generating greater participation and stronger results.

"I said, 'How are schools making so much money? Because I want us to be that school,'" Beck recalled.

Armed with new ideas, the PTA revamped its approach. Volunteers promoted the program through newsletters, social media, and family communications. They highlighted participating products, shared shopping tips, and made it easy for families to participate.

To build excitement, the PTA also turned the program into a friendly competition. Students were encouraged to submit School Dollar slips with their teacher's name on the back, and the classroom collecting the most slips earned a popsicle party.

The result was an outpouring of support from across the school community.

Parents embraced the effort, students rallied around the challenge, and participation soared. PTA volunteers even took on much of the work of entering School Dollars themselves, making the process as easy as possible for families.

For Beck and her fellow volunteers, the increase represents far more than dollars raised. It reflects growing awareness of the program, stronger community engagement, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for students.

The effort was bolstered by the support of the local Hannaford store team.

"The Hannaford by our school is fabulous," Beck said. "They were so kind to us and so supportive of the program. I think that really made a difference for us."

For Beck, one of the most meaningful aspects of Hannaford Helps Schools is seeing what can happen when an entire community comes together on behalf of its students.

From families saving and submitting School Dollars, to PTA volunteers coordinating outreach efforts, to Hannaford associates supporting the program every step of the way, each contribution helps wrap an entire community's arms around Arongen Elementary's students.

The truth is, schools everywhere are fortunate to have volunteers like those who serve on the Arongen Elementary School PTA. Often working behind the scenes and without recognition, these individuals generously share their time, talents, and creativity to help create the kind of school community every child deserves.

What makes their contribution so meaningful can't be measured in dollars raised or events planned.

It's found in the confidence a student gains while performing in a school play, the friendships formed on a playground, the pride of receiving a special recognition, or simply the feeling of knowing that an entire community is cheering them on. Long after the School Dollars are spent, those moments remain. And thanks to volunteers like the Arongen Elementary School PTA, students carry those memories, experiences, and connections with them for years to come.

Published September 29, 2026