At Gilbert Arts Academy we are committed to keeping our students involved in their community.  Over the past few years we have:

• Recycled over 6,000 pouches of Capri Sun drinks
• Raised and donated over $1,300 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Donated over 600 pairs of socks to One Small Step
• Donated over $1,500 to the American Heart Association
• Donated more than 1,000 packages of food to the local food bank

Additionally our students have collected and donated new toys and games to the Phoenix Children's Hospital and participate annually in the Jump Rope for Heart events. 

In 2010 our Jump Rope for Heart event was brought home to all of us on a much more personal level, when the husband of one of our dearest friends and colleagues was in need of a new heart.  Major David Eddy, was in hospital in Tucson hoping for a heart transplant to save his life.   On learning of Major Eddy's condition, several of our students who knew of no one personally with a heart condition, asked if they could take part in the event, jumping rope for Major Eddy.  Major Eddy was so touched by their gesture he asked to speak to the students and we arranged for everyone to join a conference call at the hospital. 

Tragically Major Eddy didn't survive more than a few days after the Jump Rope for Heart event, but in true Eddy style, his family left a wonderful legacy to the students at Gilbert Arts Academy; The David Eddy Scholarship.  The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate the character traits honesty, integrity, respect, perseverance, courage, compassion and a thirst for knowledge.

Last year's recipients of the scholarship were Jessie Pesina and Rowan Johnson, shown opposite with Mrs. Darla Eddy. This year's recipients of the scholarship were Adalynn Mills and Liliana Hampton.