By Kathryn Millhorn
Life is expensive. Even a free, public school education requires clothing, supplies, medical physicals and vaccinations, and extracurricular fees. In these tough times, that can add up to an insurmountable obstacle for some families. The North Thurston Education Foundation is determined to do everything they can to ease the load for hard-working families in its district.
The Foundation is a mix of parents, educators, local businesses, and government leaders. The group began almost 25 years ago and have given away over $600,000 in that time to overcome obstacles to successful learning. Their organization, which contains only volunteer officers, has helped over 15,000 students, given more than 300 scholarships, and provided grants to more than 85 classrooms. Monies are presented to a school’s counselor annually (with more available should the need arise) and distributed by school staff as needed.
Statistics show that the poverty level within the North Thurston Public Schools has increased over the last few years. The Foundation reaches out through their Student Assistance Grants which have been used for everything from food and clothing, toiletries, instrument rental, athletic fees, doctor’s office co-pays, gas for transportation, and extracurricular costs.
Ron Sisson, the principal of Lakes Elementary, is a long-time believer and contributor to the Foundation. He and his wife, both educators, donate to the Foundation as does their son, a recent high school grad himself. They see tangible results of the Foundation’s work and love that donations “come right back to the kids we see every day.”
Sisson told of a student who was constantly distracted from his class work by sore feet. Upon speaking with the boy’s family and realizing their tough financial situation, Sisson took the student shoe shopping and was saddened to realize that the new pair chosen was a full three sizes bigger than the ones he’d been wearing. Something as simple as properly fitting sneakers enabled this student to continue the school year successfully.
Foundation President Carletta Garraway is justifiably proud of this amazing organization. “It is truly amazing to see the impact this organization has had on the families of the North Thurston Public Schools,” shares Garraway. “We are committed to continuing that support by providing funding and resources to our schools, teachers, and graduating seniors. I am proud to be an active part of an organization whose main mission is to remove those barriers that may interfere with our students’ abilities to focus on going to school.”
“Support may come in the form of a backpack of food to get through the weekend; a winter coat, a pair of glasses, learning supplies, funds to support classroom learning, or scholarships to help graduates to go college,” continues Garraway. “The North Thurston Education Foundation is one of the best kept secrets in our community in my view.” In 2013, Garraway is challenging donors to change that secret by sharing information about the Foundation’s work.
By keeping operating costs low, the Foundation and its donors can see more of their money flow directly to students in need. Utilizing payroll deduction or a simple PayPal interface, anyone can donate to their fund in any dollar amount. They also organize an annual fundraiser luncheon with all monies going directly into the district. This year’s luncheon will be on Tuesday, October 8 at the Saint Martin’s University Worthington Center. Details on attending are at 360-951-4365.
It doesn’t take much to make the school year easier for a student. By sharing and helping, the Foundation channels community donations to where they’re needed most. Helping students is a sure-fire way of ensuring a healthy, successful future for the child, their family, and our region.
