On Tuesday, Dec. 2, actress, comedian, producer, writer and West Philly native Quinta Brunson announced the launch of the Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund in partnership with The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. Brunson’s Field Trip Fund will support over 117,000 students in Philadelphia’s traditional public schools, helping to eliminate costs associated with out-of-classroom opportunities for Philly students.
After launching the fundraiser with an initial contribution of her own, Brunson and The Fund are asking for support as part of Giving Tuesday to further the fund and directly provide resources, such as admission or transportation, to help tackle the costs of field trips, allowing students from underserved communities increased access to out-of-classroom experiences.
Fans of Brunson’s hit show 'Abbott Elementary' may have noticed that each season features a field trip episode, and that is no coincidence. Brunson, who found inspiration for the show while attending Andrew Hamilton Elementary School in West Philadelphia — in the form of her 6th-grade teacher, Joyce Abbott — knows firsthand the value of hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, showcasing several prominent field trip spots in and around Philadelphia during the course of the show’s five seasons.
From the Philadelphia Zoo to the historic Smith Playground and beyond, the show has highlighted the impact of applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings and how it can help students in important areas, including broadening their perspective, improving self-esteem, and directly engaging young students.
“Field trips were some of the most memorable parts of my own education growing up in Philadelphia,” Brunson said. “They opened my world, sparked my creativity, and helped me imagine a future beyond what I saw every day. Going somewhere new shows you that the world is bigger and more exciting than you believe, and it can shape what you come to see as achievable.
"I’m proud to support Philadelphia students with experiences that remind them their dreams are valid and their futures are bright.”
To support the Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund this Giving Tuesday and beyond, donations can be made at form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io.
