HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Education Foundation raised nearly $5,000 by taking part in ‘Valley Gives Day’ on December 12. “We were just $15 short of $5,000,” noted the foundation’s clerk, Wendy Long. “But we still have a few offline donations coming in so it is possible we will reach that mark!”
“We want to thank everyone who contributed on Valley Gives Day this year,” said President Shirley Winer. “More than twice as many staff and community members contributed this year, and three times as many parents and alumni took part!”
Winer also said that the foundation nearly met all of its donation goals for their 2013-14 goals by the end of Valley Gives Day. Goals had been set for staff, community members, alumni, parents, school committee participation this year. Business goals had been reached earlier this fall with sponsorships to the Ed Webster event in October.
Donations ranged from $10 to $500 on Valley Gives Day. Four $500 matching challenge grants were also met, with staff, parents, alumni and community members each raising more than $500.
The Gateway Education Foundation formed in 2011 to raise funds to support enhanced learning projects in the Gateway Regional School District. To date, it has raised over $30,000 through donations, sponsorships, grants and special events. Funding is granted to teachers and staff who apply through the foundation’s Funds for Learning Program. Thus far, the foundation has funded 10 projects that have benefitted every school and virtually every student. Programs have included the history/science Study of the Keystone Arches (8th grade); Littleville’s Schoolyard Habitat Program (with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 1st grade); Field trips to the Bodies Exhibit and Mark Twain Museum (high school science and English classes); the Middle School’s Healthy Cooking and Eating program (offered during the After-School Program); Chester’s Summer Reading Program; a visit with Ed Webster (grades 2-12, plus an evening event for the community); and Glass Fusion Classes (8th grade art classes). The foundation has also funded visits from Grammy Winner Joseph Firecrow (Jr./Sr. High Schools) and children’s author Billy Steers (Littleville, first grade), which are planned for next semester. Finally, the foundation was able to upgrade equipment in the Gateway Performing Arts Center through the Rob Shipman Memorial Fund and has sponsored the 50th Anniversary Celebration going on this year.
All staff have been invited to apply for a new round of project funding, with applications due on January 13.
Donations may be made anytime by mailing a check to the Gateway Education Foundation, 12 Littleville Rd., Huntington, MA 01050. Donations are also accepted online on the Foundation’s website. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the Gateway Education Foundation, please visit their website at http://GatewayEducationFoundation.yolasite.com.
