School Spirit: K-12 Foundation continues to provide for needs of local schools

Fifth-grader Daniel Townsend bent over his Weekly Reader at Oro Grande Elementary School, finding out what has happened in the Asian countries hit by the tsunami nearly a year ago.

“Those people need more stuff,” he said. “We can still help them. It would be really bad to lose all your presents the day after Christmas like they did.”

His classmate, Trevor Roach, told him not to worry about a tsunami hitting Lake Havasu City. “We don't have underwater volcanoes or earthquakes under the water to cause that,” he said, pointing to an explanatory page in the Weekly Reader “I read about it in here.”

Their class, as well as others in the Lake Havasu Unified School District, wouldn't have the Weekly Readers with its news, entertainment updates and interactive page without donations from the K-12 Foundation for LHUSD No. 1. It's just one purchase among many that the non-profit, community group has made since volunteers began the effort in July 2003.

The foundation has distributed more than $40,000 directly to the schools, providing playground equipment, Weekly Readers, library books, math scanners, theater curtains, CPR mannequins, walkie-talkies and safety goggles.

The foundation also bought dictionaries and thesauruses loaded onto specially designed, rolling book carts for each school.

The foundation does not funnel money from its fundraisers and donations into the district's maintenance and operations budget, which primarily pays salaries and benefits. Instead, the money goes toward a wish list each building principal supplies, using staff suggestions.

Even after voters approved a $3.3 million budget override in March, the foundation continues its work. Organizers formed the foundation months before voters rejected the first override request in March 2004.

“One of the key things about the foundation is our longevity as we build an endowment to fund schools forever,” said Jim Day, the foundation president. “We put aside a portion of our funds to insure a cash flow so that we pay for immediate needs and build for the future.”

The foundation allocates 40 percent of its donations for school purchases, retains 40 percent and uses 20 percent for expenses and overhead.

“This is such a generous community,” said Ken Danley, principal of Starline Elementary School, where students use books the foundation bought to study for the AIMS tests. “People from different backgrounds have come together to improve our schools. I'm ever so grateful.”

The foundation also raises money through memberships, which are $25 for a family and $100 for a business.

Businesses, too, raise money in innovative ways, such as LandAmerican/Transnation Title, where the 15 employees pay $10 a month to dress casually on Fridays. Matching funds expanding the donations, giving the foundation $2,310 so far.

“Most of us at Transnation have kids and we really care about our kids,” said Chris Riedell, business development manager. “For the last two years, we picked the foundation to give money, too. As far as I know, we'll pick K-12 next year, too.”

Above All Real Estate gives a portion of each real estate transaction to the foundation. Donations now total more than $7,000 in amounts ranging from $12 to $60.

The foundation works all year, hosting new teacher events and teacher appreciation events. Members also promote and fund efforts encouraging taxpayers to contribute to the state tax credit program.

Upcoming foundation events are:

€ March 5, 1-4 p.m.: A walk and Children's Art Day.

€ March 18: K-12 Gala featuring a 70's disco theme.

€ May 12: Student Recognition Banquet.

The foundation's new website, which will be operational in January, will have a wish list from the schools.

For more information about the foundation, contact Jim Day at 855-5637.

You may contact the reporter at sdunham@havasunews.com