Submitted by Olympia School District
On Thursday, September 20th, the Olympia School District Education Foundation hosted its annual breakfast to raise charitable dollars to support the Principals Emergency Checkbook Fund. More 200 community members attended the event which so far has raised more than $28,000 to help each of our school
principals purchase basic need items for low-income students when emergency situations arise.
The keynote speaker at the event was Bill Moos, Olympia High School graduate and Washington State University Athletic Director. Mr. Moos started the speech by saying that someone asked why he wasn’t wearing crimson and gray and he replied “today I am wearing Oly Blue in honor of a great school district!” Moos went on to talk about the quality of education he received in the district and the importance of having the basic necessities like clean and warm clothes and a full stomach in order
to come to school prepared and ready to learn. He said “once again the Olympia School District is on the cutting-edge to have programs like the Principals Emergency Checkbook Fund to ensure students don’t face barriers to academic success.”
Capital High School Principal Chris Woods also spoke at the event and talked about what a huge impact it has on a student’s life when you know a student has been wearing the same clothes every day because that is all they own and you can take them to the mall and get them some new shoes, pants, shirts and a jacket and see an instant shift in attitude and classroom results. “It’s those basic items that help give students the confidence boost they need and allows them to be comfortable so they can
focus on learning,” Woods said.
Beyond clothing, the Principals Emergency Checkbook Fund has helped students with school supplies, activity fees, housing, utilities, medical care, food and transportation. Since the creation of the Education Foundation in 1998, the District has received more than $280,000 in charitable support from this amazing organization led by community volunteers.
