COMMUNITY ANSWERS CALL TO SCHOOLPOWER FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

With a dedicated team of 46 parent volunteers calling on every family in Laguna Beach schools for donations, SchoolPower’s Community Campaign succeeded in raising nearly $360,000. Two sizable checks were presented to the district at last week’s school board meeting as a result: $125,000 for the first installment of SchoolPower’s annual gift to the district and $71,100 for teacher and program allocations from Community Campaign donation designations. This year’s fundraising drive again benefited from the generosity of long time supporters Holly and David Wilson who donated $25,000 in matching funds. The parents of a Thurston Middle School 7th grader and a El Morro Elementary 5th grader see far reaching value in investing in the community’s schools and encouraging others to follow suit. “As a product of the public school system, I believe a rising tide lifts all ships. And, as a business owner, my business needs educated employees and educated customers,” explains the CEO and chairman of David Wilson Automotive Group. “That is the best hope for the future of our country.”

The Community Campaign also saw a strong showing of support from members of the SchoolPower Endowment Board. President Gary Jenkins and his wife Betsy donated over $10,250 and treasurer Laura Tarbox contributed $10,000, both in matching funds.

With 558 families contributing to the campaign, the incentive of matching funds for new and increased donations proved to be especially effective in encouraging giving, notes Community Campaign Chair Carol Normandin. As an example she points to Cliff and Pinky Bernstein who were inspired to increase their previous year’s donation of $2,000 to $10,000 this year as a direct result of matching funds.

Having matching funds to offer as an incentive to donate also served as a great inspiration for Normandin and her team of volunteers as they faced the daunting task of trying to connect with every family in the district over the course of seven calling nights. “The ability to convey such a special contribution adds to the excitement for the callers,” says Buzz Shaw, who served as a team leader along with Will Boyd, Mike Nozzarella, and Marri Barton. In her fifth year heading the campaign, Normandin encourages friendly competition among the volunteer callers to make the evenings inspirational and fun.

Ultimately, though, Normandin says the volunteers need look no further than the schools themselves for inspiration. “When we hear from teachers what a difference the additional funding makes in their classrooms, there is a charitable high that sparks our drive to do more for our schools,” she says. “I know that there is a correlation between the funds and the quality of education, but more than that there is a correlation between the time and passion given by volunteers and the passion and inspiration of our teachers and administrators. SchoolPower raises the tide not just for teachers and their students, but for our community as a whole.”

In an effort to meet its funding commitment to the school district, SchoolPower continues to accept donations and is planning a final calling night in February to follow up on uncollected pledges. Don’t wait for a call to support the campaign. Please visit http://www.lbschoolpower.org/Community-Campaign.php or call 949-494-6811.

You can Get the Form to print and mail/fax, or use the forms below to make your donation. Click here if you know someone who might be interested in our new Grandparents' Club.

SchoolPower gladly accepts corporate matching donations and encourages donors to contact the SchoolPower Office for assistance with this – (949) 494-6811

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Volunteer
So we need you to join the fun talking to fellow parents during our Community Campaign. Call the office for this year's dates. If you want to join us making calls, providing food or assisting the Campaign in other ways, please let us know.