Missouri Military Academy Parent Helps Raise $153K for Nonprofits in Response to COVID-19

Among Missouri Military Academy’s core values, selfless service remains a top priority at the Academy and among the MMA community. This is especially true during difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect and create need for so many families and the nonprofits in our communities.

At MMA, cadets stepped up to help address hunger in Mexico, Missouri during the pandemic by expanding the Academy’s support of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri’s Buddy Packs program. They packed an incredible 3,500 buddy packs in only two days – a massive increase from their typical 500 per week (see details).

At this same time, MMA Parents Committee Leader Erin Schreyer was leading her own initiative to support her community in Dallas, Texas.

Schreyer’s Front Porch Project initiative stemmed from the national Front Porch Project effort, which asks photographers to take portraits of families on their porches to document life during the COVID-19 pandemic as a socially distant photographer. Schreyer took this project a step further, asking families to pledge a donation to a charity of their choice for the photos.

From left to right: MMA Cadet Evan Schreyer, MMA Parents Committee Leader Erin Schreyer, Edward Schreyer, Ella Schreyer. 

“I saw a news story about a community in Colorado Springs that did this, and I thought we could easily duplicate it in Dallas,” Schreyer said in a Dallas Doing Good interview. “Then I wanted to add in a charitable component to help our community during this unprecedented time.”

All together she photographed 399 families.

With the help of MMA Parent Committee co-chair Elizabeth Royse and Schreyer’s friend Amanda McGregor Cejka, they tracked funds, confirmed donations and crunched the numbers. In the end, they raised an incredible $153,000 for 188 different nonprofits.

MMA Parents Committee Co-chair Elizabeth Royse and MMA Cadet Noah Royse. 

“Never, ever did I expect the demand to be what it became,” Schreyer said. “It’s perfect, because my life’s mission is from Hebrews 10:24, ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good works.’ I think we did that.”

For their own Front Porch Photo, Schreyer donated to Brother Bill’s Helping Hands, Missouri Military Academy and Back2Back Ministries.

See a few more of Schreyer's photos below.

The Gibbs Family. The Gibbs rushed to have their photo taken, as the husband was deployed with the Air Force one day later.

The Leonard Family. The dad is a United States Naval Academy graduate and is on the board for the nonprofit Carry the Load, which honors fallen soldiers.
 

The Hunt Family. The Hunts are the owners of the Kansas City Chiefs, and are posing with their Super Bowl trophy. 

The Graft Family. This family celebrated their youngest daughter turning double digits.