What is Limeades for Learning?

Limeades for Learning^® is a national initiative of SONIC^®, America's Drive-In^® to support U.S. public school teachers in local communities. In partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC will provide essential funds needed for learning materials and innovative teaching techniques to inspire creativity and learning in today's youth.

How does the cause program work?

Limeades for Learning allows SONIC customers and fans to make a difference in their local communities by voting for public school teacher projects they want SONIC to fund.

• Anyone with a valid email address can go online and vote for their favorite teacher's project once per day.
• Get two extra votes with any SONIC purchase. Vote codes are provided on the bag sticker.
• Vote online 10 times and get two extra votes. Vote codes will be sent via email.

Repeat the process once a day to help your favorite project get enough votes to be funded!

How is the program different from 2010?

In 2011, there are even more ways to make a difference in local classrooms by voting for teacher's projects. You can visit your local drive-in and receive a special code on the bag sticker worth two votes or you can vote once per day with a valid email address.

How will SONIC use my email address?

Voting with a valid email address ensures all participants can vote once per day. The email address will not be used for any other purposes unless the participant opts in to receive future communications from SONIC about Limeades for Learning or other topics. At no time will the email address be shared with outside parties.

When does Limeades for Learning occur?

Voting officially takes place from Aug. 29, 2011, until Sept. 30, 2011; so be sure to participate soon! While teachers can register anytime during the campaign, they are encouraged to do so before Aug. 15 to have the greatest chance of receiving funding for their project. Submitted projects will be reviewed by DonorsChoose.org before they are available on LimeadesForLearning.com.

Who benefits from Limeades for Learning?

Students benefit from Limeades for Learning. When students are inspired by their teacher to learn and create, they have greater opportunity to reach their full potential. Currently, teachers spend $1 billion annually out of their own pockets for basic supplies and inspirational learning materials for students. This program is designed to ensure no student goes without because of a lack of resources.

Can I make a financial donation to support teachers?

Yes! Individuals are encouraged to donate directly to support their favorite project. Whether you have $5 to contribute or $50, every donation helps inspire kids to learn and create. Simply log on to LimeadesforLearning.com and search for your favorite project. Once it's found, click on the "Donate" button to make a contribution now or anytime throughout the year.

Will my donation be tax deductible?

All donations made to DonorsChoose.org to support teachers' projects are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax deductibility of any donation.

Will I be notified if the project I vote for receives funding?

When you cast your vote on LimeadesforLearning.com, you will be asked if you want to save the project in your favorites. If you save the project you voted for in your favorites, Limeades for Learning will send you an email if the project has been funded by SONIC.

When will the voting and funding happen?

Voting begins Aug. 29, 2011, and ends Sept. 30, 2011. During the five-week campaign, SONIC will fund $100,000 of the top vote-receiving projects weekly on Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26. The final round of funding for votes gathered Sept. 26 – 30 will take place on Oct. 3. If a project is not funded, then all previous votes for the project will carry over to the next week.

How can I find the teacher project I want to vote for?

There are a number of search criteria you can choose from including city, state, subject of interest, classroom resource and teacher name.

Where do I go to vote?

Go to the FIND A PROJECT section on LimeadesforLearning.com.

How much is my vote worth?

1. All votes with a valid email address will be worth one vote.
2. All vote codes from the bag sticker at the drive-in are worth two votes. Both votes will be applied to the same teacher's project.
3. If you vote ten separate times you'll receive a special code via email worth two votes to be used toward the same teacher's project. Please note that there is no monetary value associated with a vote.

How can I further support projects I care about?

Spread the word to get that project more votes! Through the LimeadesforLearning.com website's "Share This" functionality you can support the program or individual projects through email or social media sites. You also may post your vote to your Facebook® wall after voting.

What is a SONIC Teacher?

A SONIC Teacher is any U.S. public, magnet or charter school teacher who registers, or is currently registered, as a SONIC Teacher on DonorsChoose.org. SONIC Teachers' projects are eligible for funding through the Limeades for Learning program.

Who is eligible to be a SONIC Teacher?

In order to register, you must be a full-time educator at a public school (employed by the district), spending at least 75% of your time working directly with students.

What about home school teachers?

At this time, home school teachers are not eligible to participate in the program.

What about private school teachers?

At this time, private school teachers are not eligible to participate in the program.

How do I sign up to be a SONIC Teacher?

For more information on becoming a SONIC Teacher, please visit www.DonorsChoose.org/teacher to learn about eligibility and responsibilities for SONIC Teachers.

If I'm already a teacher through DonorsChoose.org, can I register to participate in this cause program?

Teachers currently registered on DonorsChoose.org are eligible to participate. Signing up is easy – simply log in to your teacher account and follow the steps to update your personal information.

Can I refer a teacher or other teachers to participate?

We hope you will refer as many teachers as possible to sign up to participate! A quick and easy way to spread the word is to log on to LimeadesForLearning.com and share the site with your friends.

What's the best time to submit my project to ensure it will be voted upon?

Teachers are encouraged to register as a SONIC Teacher and submit their projects by Aug. 15, 2011, to ensure that their projects can be reviewed and posted in time for voting.

Are there any particular guidelines I should follow when considering my project registration?

We believe that you know your students' needs best. Here are the some ground rules that may help craft your project entry:

1. All requested resources must be used by students or directly provide a student experience. The voters want to help you help kids!
2. Your project cannot foster discrimination or proselytize a religious or political viewpoint.
3. Your project must be appropriate to your school. Meaning: Don't ask for technology that isn't compatible with your school. You must follow your school's policy to secure whatever permission you need.
4. DonorsChoose.org will not accept requests for labor, capital improvements or vehicle purchases.

When in doubt ask yourself, "Will my students be able to write genuine thank-you notes?"

What should I do to get my project fully funded?

To ensure that your project grabs the attention of our voters, we'd recommend the following:

• Give your project a great title and your essay a snazzy first line.
• Keep your project cost to less than $450.
• Speak from the heart when writing your essay.
• Check your project essay for spelling and grammar.

Will all teachers who sign up receive a grant from SONIC?

SONIC project funding is not guaranteed for all SONIC Teachers. Only the SONIC Teacher projects that receive the most votes during each week the five-week campaign will receive funding. Recruit friends and family to help increase your votes.

Is there a limit to the number of projects I can post as a SONIC Teacher?

SONIC Teachers can submit more than one project for eligibility for SONIC funding during the promotion period.

Is there a funding limit to the projects that can be submitted?

SONIC will fund a maximum of $600 toward a winning project. If a project is more than $600 and is a top-voted project, SONIC will award $600 to the project and then the project remain on the DonorsChoose.org site so that the remainder of the cost can be funded by citizen philanthropists. This is why we suggest that teachers submit projects for materials that cost $450 or less.

Will SONIC supply me with ways in which I can promote my project and encourage family, friends and colleagues to vote for me?

Teachers will have a toolbox on LimeadesForLearning.com that will help them market and ask others to vote for their projects. Tools include items such as email blast copy and logos for social networking sites like Facebook.

After the project is funded, how long does it take to get the supplies?

DonorsChoose.org manages fulfillment of all projects. If teachers have requested supplies from multiple vendors, it is possible some may arrive sooner than others. On average, the wait will be 3-4 weeks for materials to arrive. Large or heavy items, especially furniture and rugs, are often freight shipped from vendors, which may extend the shipping time by several additional weeks. Certain types of orders, such as monthly magazine subscriptions, may take vendors up to 6-8 weeks to process.

DonorsChoose.org is committed to fulfilling the project as quickly as is possible.

How can teachers partner with their local SONIC Drive-in?

SONIC promotes an entrepreneurial spirit, and each operator manages each drive-in on an individual basis. Teachers who have registered to participate are encouraged to stop by their local drive-in and introduce themselves to the manager. Together, they may discover ways they can collaborate to bring learning and creative resources to students.

How do I get SONIC more involved in my school?

Contact your local SONIC Drive-in and talk to the manager about other school programs available. SONIC is dedicated to improving the lives of children in the communities where we do business.

What if I still have questions about Limeades for Learning?

For additional questions and information regarding Limeades for Learning, please email LimeadesforLearning@sonicdrivein.com.