Herman Cook Volkswagen has linked with DonorsChoose.org to support teachers and projects in Encinitas schools, the car dealership announced Aug. 1.

The effort is part of a nationwide partnership between Volkswagen and DonorsChoose.org stemming from the carmaker’s Drive Bigger campaign and a $1 million donation to the organization, Volkswagen stated in a separate news release.

Customers and residents can stop by Herman Cook, 1435 Encinitas Blvd., and pick up a DonorsChoose.org donation card pre-loaded with funds from Volkswagen. The cards are available while funds last and must be used by the cards’ printed expiration date, Volkswagen noted. The cards are not available for cash.

Those who get a card at Herman Cook then go to DonorsChoose.org to pick a local classroom project to support, the dealership explained.

“Education in our public schools is a fundamental foundation for every student in this country, and DonorsChoose.org is able to support thousands of teachers and students each year,” Jim Zabel, vice president of marketing for Volkswagen of America, said in the carmaker’s news release. “The Drive Bigger Event will allow us to turn our words into action.”

In addition to funding the donation cards distributed by dealers such as Herman Cook, as part of the donation, Volkswagen is making an overall corporate donation to DonorsChoose.org and will match employee contributions from $25 to $2,500.

“Herman Cook Volkswagen is also doubling down on all donations made to Encinitas classrooms, meaning those teachers and students will be getting double the contribution,” the dealership said in its announcement.

In announcing the program, Volkswagen cited statistics that the average public school teacher spends $479 of their own money on school supplies every year. Those in low-income schools spend up to 40% more than that.

“We are absolutely thrilled about this partnership,” Vashti Barran, partnerships manager at DonorsChoose.org, said in Volkswagen’s news release. “We love that dealers can engage with new customers by giving them a DonorsChoose.org donation card that they can use to support a classroom project that inspires them.”

More information is available online at Herman Cook Volkswagen’s website, www.cookvw.com. Residents can also call the dealership at 760-753-6256 to learn more.