SEF, founded in 1982, is a nonprofit organization composed of Saratoga residents and parents concerned about state funding cutbacks in Saratoga Union School District's public schools. SEF's largest fundraiser—the phone-a-thon—is set for Feb. 8, one weekend later than usual because of the Super Bowl on Feb. 1. SEF members hope to bring in $300,000 with the help of more than 100 volunteers making phone calls to parents and community members who have not yet donated money to the cause. The event will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Alain Pinel offices on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road.

Callers will be asking parents for donations of $700 per student. But those who can't afford to donate that much are encouraged to give whatever they can, said veteran caller Pragati Grover, who will be phoning parents of children attending Argonaut Elementary School. Grover said that even though the economy is better than last year, SEF is still in need of funds.

SUSD's budget forecast is not good or bad, said Shinku Sharma, SEF co-president—it is just uncertain. Sharma said every child in the SUSD, from kindergarten through eighth grade, will benefit directly from SEF funds, whether through smaller class sizes, an art or music program or a teacher whose salary is being funded thanks to the SEF. And good schools are closely linked to a safe community and high property values, Sharma said.

"There are multifold benefits from having good schools in your district," Sharma said.

The event has taken different forms over SEF's history, with a telethon on local television asking for pledges, or a jog-a-thon for which community members sponsor runners. And in March, Saratoga parents will have the chance to view the programs made possible because of their donations, Sharma said.

Last year, phone-a-thon Co-Chairwoman Mimi Thomas said the event generated more than $312,000, and SEF raised $1.2 million. Thomas added that parents are not required to give the full $700 per child all at once. There are payment plans available, and SEF also encourages matching funds from local businesses. Thomas is co-chairing the event along with SEF members Presley Troyer and Tracey Hadid.

Jennifer Robert, an SEF member and previous co-chairwoman of the phone-a-thon, said she volunteers for a calling shift each year, not just because the funds raised go back into Saratoga schools, but because there is camaraderie built between volunteers, as well as creative thinking and community interaction.

"I didn't want to go home," Robert recalled from the last year's phone-a-thon. "It was so energizing. It wasn't just a task."

Terrie Creamer, SEF co-president, said volunteers—both new and experienced—will be put through an extensive and self-educating training on the morning of Feb. 8. They will be given scripts and helpful question-and-answer guidelines, Creamer said, to make sure they are prepared to answer the questions of the people they call.

"We're not cold-calling. It's parents calling other parents," Robert said. "You have to educate that parent at the other end of the line, even if they are not in a position to fund the full amount."

The phone-a-thon is a cross-section of fields in education, Robert said. There will be teachers, principals, SUSD board members and Superintendent Lane Weiss all on hand that day at the Alain Pinel offices to answer questions for which parent volunteers may not have the answers.

Thomas said volunteer callers also come from different ethnic backgrounds and are often bilingual, and are therefore able to converse with parents who may not speak English. Overall, Thomas said it's a way for people to learn about SEF.

"This is our last fundraiser, which has a direct appeal to every parent," Thomas said.

For more information about SEF, visit http://www.saratoga-sef.org.