Who is the behind the scenes supporter of Bend-La Pine Schools? It’s the Education Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting public education and enabling the best classroom possible. The Foundation was founded in 1988 and has since invested over $2.2 million into our schools.
The Foundation hosts many fundraisers throughout the year, but one stands above the rest. Trivia Night, hosted at Silver Moon Brewing, is the foundation’s largest fundraiser, and this year alone brought in over $55,000 —which come next fall, will all be back into schools in the form of classroom enhancements.
It was organized and put on by the Foundation’s Executive Directors, Anne Westerhoff and Jamie Goldman. The money raised at Trivia Night is going into the Classroom Enrichment Program, which provides funding for educator projects impacting students district wide.
With the failure of the local option funding levy, and continual budget cuts, these funds are more important than ever for maintaining a fulfilling educational program.
“Being able to fulfill these grant requests is essential to bridging the funding gap that currently exists,” said Westerhoff.
Summit’s orchestra teacher, Stephanie Seed, was a recipient of one such grant. She received $2,000 to fund a new bass, which was much needed by the class.
“Bend-La Pine Education Foundation came to our rescue, and was most generous in granting us these funds. The instrument they enabled us to purchase will be used for many years to come!” said Seed.
In addition, the Foundation provides Perseverance Awards, sponsored by the Mayantigo Charitable Foundation, under the Axel F. Hoch scholarship. They are awarded to students who have overcome insurmountable adversity and still succeeded. The awards are final dollar scholarships designed to cover those last costs to make sure students can go to college. Every year, 10 new students apply for and receive these scholarships.
This is the first year the Mayantigo Charitable Foundation has sponsored the Perseverance Awards, and it has made an incredible difference. Assuming the students grades are kept up, the scholarship will be renewed for up to four years of college.
The Foundation also funds Activity Fee Scholarships for students on Free and Reduced lunch who wish to participate in OSAA sanctioned activities. This program, thanks to Mt. Bachelor’s Ski 4 Schools, covers the pay to play fees, allowing students to participate without financial barriers. Ashton Eaton was a recipient of the Activity Fee Scholarship when he attended Mountain View High School before becoming an olympian. This school year they gave over $18,000 in scholarships.
Events like Trivia Night can make a difference in thousands of students’ lives. In and out of the classroom the Education Foundation is there behind the scenes, making a difference.
