Jones donates $250K in school supplies

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Former talk show host Jenny Jones announced she is donating $250,000 in school supplies and equipment to teachers in classrooms across the United States.

"Teachers' Month" is a highlight of Jones's Jenny's Heroes program, a yearlong philanthropic initiative, Jones's group said.

The donations are intended to benefit schools in at least 15 states by "providing everything from books and computers to robots, musical instruments, a lighted school sign, first aid supplies, even tools for developing alternative fuels," Jenny's Heroes said.

Jones is to make surprise phone calls throughout September responding to requests ranging from $3,000 up to $25,000 submitted to Jenny's Heroes.

"As a high school dropout, I faced a lot of challenges in the real world. The lesson I learned is that education is vital not just for a successful career, but also for your self-confidence. That's why after seven years on television, I still went back and got my GED, something that I'm still very proud of today," Jones said in a statement. "Through Jenny's Heroes, I've received hundreds of requests from teachers, many of whom are paying for books and supplies with their own money. Our schools need us and I hope to make a difference that helps more of our children succeed in life."