Credit Union Awards classroom grant to help support school pets.

Freehold Township High School Animal Science Teacher Laura Vannauker, a resident of New Egypt, NJ, was delighted when she received a surprise visit to her classroom by First Financial President & CEO, Issa Stephan, who brought her a $500 classroom grant for the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Vannauker submitted a grant application to purchase supplies for the pets kept in her classroom as part of the Animal and Botanical Sciences Academy at the school.� Specifically, the grant money will help to care for Bucky the rabbit and Bear the ferret.� Both animals were donated to the class and require constant care and feeding.� Part of the grant money will be used to build a hutch so they can both live comfortably. "I would also like to spend part of the grant money on an egg incubator," said Vannauker.�� "We have hatched eggs in the past and it is always a highlight of the year for the students!" Since First Financial began with a group of Asbury Park schoolteachers back in 1936, the credit union has not forgotten its educational roots.� That is why its Foundation offered current Monmouth and Ocean County educators four classroom grants to use at their schools for the 2012-2013 school year. "Education remains a guiding principal for our organization, and were delighted to help our local educators enhance their classroom experience," noted First Financial President & CEO, Issa Stephan.