Vashon Schools Foundation thanks Donors

The Vashon Schools Foundation hosted a Major Donor Thank You event on the evening of October 23rd located in the former Nirvana restaurant space in Vashon town.  Invitees included private individuals and business owners in the Vashon community who had made large scale donations to the Foundation during the 2014 fundraising campaign.   Representatives from all three public schools, and the Vashon School District Board, also attended.

Schools Foundation board members Maureen Burke, Amy Broomhall, Zabette Macomber, Pam Stenerson  and Donna Nespor partnered with Tami Brockway-Joyce  and Amanda McConnell of Vashon’s own Seattle Distilling to transform Matt and Kim Bergman’s donated vacant space into a welcoming party venue.  Guests were invited to sample an array of delicious appetizers and desserts as well as cocktails made with Seattle Distilling’s award winning products.  Vashon High School student Mallory Breen entertained guests with her acoustic guitar throughout the evening.  The event expenses were covered by donated resources, volunteer efforts and an anonymous donation from one of the Foundation board members.  

Board President Don Wolczko addressed the gathering to thank the donors, both present and in absentia, for their support.  He noted that the Vashon Schools Foundation was conceived during a time of crisis in 2009 when inadequate State funding threatened Vashon’s public schools in the form of potential teacher layoffs and proposed cuts to cherished programs.

Since those early days, the Foundation has been able to donate more than $1,700,000 to the Vashon School District, thereby enhancing curriculum, supporting teaching positions and operating expenses at Chautauqua, McMurray and Vashon High School.  

While the previous crisis that inspired the Schools Foundation has lately been averted due to farsighted community support, the mission of the Foundation continues so long as the Washington State Legislature continues to fail in adequately funding public education throughout the State.

School Principals Jody Metzger and Greg Allison told the attending donors that their contributions had helped pay for a new math curriculum at Chautauqua, and new math and history textbooks at McMurray and the High School.  Teachers Martha Woodard and Lisa Miller shared their enthusiasm for the new materials, including reading aloud some delightful written appreciations from the students themselves.

President Wolczko also introduced donors at the gathering to the incoming 2015 Vashon Schools Foundation Board President, Ruthann Howell, and three new members who joined the Board this past September: Maureen Burke, Amy Broomhall, and Rheagan Sparks.  All three women have children enrolled at the elementary and junior high, and bring their enthusiasm and unique talents to the Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation will undertake another annual funding drive in the Spring of 2015 for the ongoing financial support of Vashon Island Public Schools and the Vashon student body.  

The Foundation also hopes to encourage a greater proportional share of families who have children enrolled in Vashon schools to donate to the Foundation in the coming year.  Public school families can invest in the highest quality educational experience for their students with donations of any amount that works within their budget.  The Board feels that every donation is meaningful when combined with the power of collective participation and the financial support from our local businesses.

This was the Foundation’s third annual donor appreciation event, a tradition the board hopes to continue for many years to come.  The Vashon Schools Foundation looks forward to the coming year and the continued support of the Vashon community.

Donations to the Vashon Schools Foundation can be made at any time, on either a one time or recurring basis at the Foundation’s web site: www.vashonschoolsfoundation.org/contribute/give-today/