Airborne health formula launches teacher trust fund

What has commonly been used to help fight off colds is now helping to fight off nationwide budget deficits in music and art education programs.

A teacher trust fund developed by Airborne, an herbal health formula used to boost the immune system to help combat germs, elementary and middle school teachers can apply for the grants to help fund art and music programs.

Airborne was created by a former second-grade teacher, Victoria Knight-McDowell, who invented it because she was constantly exposed to germs in her classroom. The blend of herbal extracts, vitamins, electrolytes, amino acids and antioxidants helps to improve the body’s immune system to fight off viruses when exposed to a multiple-germ environment.

“With budgets becoming tighter each year, schools are faced with the difficult decision of having to cut vital programs,” Knight-McDowell stated in a news release. “The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund is meant to fill the gap and keep our youth engaged and inspired so they can live full and rewarding lives.”

Amie Ley, spokesperson for Airborne, said although the company is relatively small, proceeds from Airborne purchases go toward the teacher trust fund.

“(The goal) is to instill art and music education back into the schools,” Ley said. “It’s an issue (we’re) really getting behind.”

So far, Airborne has provided more than $144,000 in trust funds to more than 46 teachers. Elise Donahue, CEO of Airborne, said the trust fund is beginning with an investment of $250,000 with grants ranging from $200 to $10,000 to be implemented toward programs in the 2007-08 school year.

“All school districts in Washington are eligible,” Ley said. “Both private and public.”

Airborne effervescent tablets are available in a plethora of flavors such as orange, lemon-lime and grapefruit and can be found at any grocery store. Airborne Gummi Lozenges also are available for sore throats. New products by the same company is Airborne Nighttime, which is made with the same formula as the original but has added ingredients to help with sleep and comes in an apple cider flavor. Airborne On-The-Go features the original herbal formula in a powdered form for quick absorption in bottled water.

For information or to apply for the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund, visit www.airbornetrust.com.

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