Several Minden schools received a boost this month as SONIC donated $10,000 to fund classroom projects in honor of its local drive-in being named one of the top 50 SONIC locations in the nation.
The SONIC at 103 Minden Shopping Center Drive earned the recognition through the 2025 DR PEPPER SONIC Games, a nationwide competition among more than 3,100 SONIC locations. To celebrate the achievement, the SONIC Foundation funded classroom projects through DonorsChoose, an online platform where teachers request educational supplies and resources.
Local schools receiving funding included Webster Junior High, J.L. Jones Elementary, Central Elementary, E.S. Richardson Elementary and Doyline High School.
Among the funded projects were classroom essentials, technology, reading resources, and social-emotional learning tools. Teachers who received support included Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. Woodford of Webster Junior High, Ms. L. Jones of J.L. Jones Elementary, Mrs. Lovitt, Mrs. McCarthy, Mrs. Chreene, and Mrs. Fleming of Central Elementary, Mrs. Anderson of E.S. Richardson Elementary, and Ms. Harris of Doyline High School.
“The DR PEPPER SONIC Games are an incredible opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication of our SONIC teams,” said Kevin Knutson, vice president of restaurant experience at SONIC. “We’re excited to celebrate the success of our highest-performing teams and support the local community through our donations to schools.”
The donation was part of a larger national initiative. Across the country, the SONIC Foundation is awarding $500,000 to schools in honor of the top 50 SONIC locations.
Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $30 million to classrooms nationwide through its Limeades for Learning program, which funds teacher projects with a portion of drink, slush and shake sales.