Partners in Education continues to successfully procure donations, as it met its latest project’s goals during its Nov. 17-19 fundraising campaign.
The three day campaign, called Donation Days, had specific goals of fulfilling the Challenge Grant, which was set up by PiE donors who would match the amount of money donated during the event up to a maximum of $275,000, and increasing donations to PiE.
Money raised by the PiE accounts for about a third of the flexible funds spent by the school every year. Almost 75 percent of the money is used for college and career counseling, which includes Link Crew and the teacher adviser program, according to Judy Logan, vice president of Marketing & Communication on the PiE Board. The funds are also used for integrating Infinite Campus and funding some of the Career Technology Electives, including Biotechnology and an online Java class offered by Foothill College.
PiE set up a donation campaign to appeal to the Paly community at school entrances.
“We had 15 to 20 parent, staff and student volunteers on each of the three days at every entrance waving signs, handing out donation flyers and talking to students and parents as they arrived for the school day,” Paly PiE Co-Chair Barbara Clark said. “Big kudos to your ASB [Associated Student Body] and cheerleading participants that helped us out on those days.”
Although participation has always been good in previous years, PiE had more volunteers, enthusiasm and visibility this year, according to Logan.
Donation Days started four years ago at Addison Elementary School and spread to other elementary schools. Middle and high schools just began holding the event last year.
“Donation Days were started at Addison Elementary School four years ago as a way to concentrate the PiE donation ‘ask’ into a shorter timeframe, thereby avoiding the donation ask fatigue with a long campaign,” Logan explained.
PiE’s goals for the improvement of education have not changed since its beginning five years ago.
“As the education foundation for all Palo Alto public schools, our goals remain the same as when we started five years ago,” Logan said. “We partner with parents, the Palo Alto Unified School District and the entire community to raise funds to give all students in PAUSD the best education possible.”
People who missed the opportunity to donate during Donation Days can still donate, and as a further incentive, people who donate between now and December 30 can get a tax deduction for 2010.