Alumni Fundraising Challenge
St. Johns High School Class of 1985 The Class of ’85 is launching an Alumni Fundraising Challenge to raise money for St. Johns Schools Foundation for Excellence.
For their 30th Class Reunion, the Class of 1985 sought to find a way of giving back to the school system that laid the educational foundation for their lives and careers. They wanted to find a way to say “Thank You,” and show support for the teachers and school administrators who carry on the tradition of delivering excellence in education by preparing the young people of St. Johns for success.
Representatives spoke with SJHS Principal Mark Palmer about creating an SJHS Alumni Giving Challenge, where the class will start the ball rolling and, once completing their campaign, will challenge other classes to meet or surpass their fundraising efforts.
The 30th Reunion Planning Committee explored a variety of options for where donations would make the most significant impact for students and faculty based on need, and the Class of 1985 has selected St. Johns Schools Foundation for Excellence http://sjsffe.org/ to be the beneficiary of the fundraising effort.
The Foundation exists primarily for one purpose: “to generate funds that will be used to provide learning materials and opportunities for the students of our district that go above and beyond ordinary instruction.”
The Foundation uses money to fund grant requests from both teachers and students. In the past the Foundation has provided funds for equipment (e.g. new tympani drums for the band and orchestra), educational field trips, and the visiting author program, to name just a few of their recently funded projects.
Students and teachers apply for small, medium and large grants from the Foundation for Excellence, depending on the scope and cost of their requests. The Foundation provides an essential resource to cover expenses that may not be in the operating budget for the school year.
The Foundation endeavors to meet needs in these areas of concentration:
– Literacy
– Career and College Readiness
– Health, Safety, and Emotional Development
– Athletics and Physical Fitness Development
– Artistic Expression
The Foundation for Excellence began when this class graduated. For many years the foundation was funded by teachers and administrators who donated to the program through automatic payroll deductions. Many of those teachers and administrators are now retiring, so the Foundation finds itself in a position where funding is slowing down considerably. With the support of the Class of ’85, they can help keep the foundation funded as a thriving resource for teachers and students for years to come.
The Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means all donations are tax-deductible! So here is your opportunity to show your Redwing Alumni pride and join us by donating to the St. Johns High School Alumni Challenge today.
There are two ways to contribute:
1. Donate here at www.crowdrise.com/SJHSClassof85 using a credit or debit card. The system will generate a receipt for charity tax purposes.
2. Send a check or money-order payable to St. Johns Schools Foundation for Excellence and postal mail to: P.O. Box 96, St. Johns, MI 48879
Note: Write Class of 1985 on the memo line. A receipt will be mailed to the address on your check unless otherwise requested.
The Class will hold a 30th Class Reunion during Homecoming Weekend, October 2-3, 2015.
Complete details are available on Facebook, find group: SJHS85.
For more information on the planned reunion events, contact Julie Maples Ulrich at SJHS1985Alumni@gmail.com.