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Members of the Saratoga Education Foundation are focused on educating the whole child. But to achieve that goal, it's going to take $1.2 million in fundraising efforts and the time and energy of many volunteers.
The foundation is preparing for its annual phone-a-thon on Jan. 30 from 12:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alain Pinel offices on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. The foundation hopes to raise $300,000 from the event, and $1.2 million from the overall campaign.
About 100 parents and community volunteers, school employees and officials within the Saratoga Union School District will be taking shifts making phone calls to raise vital funds for enrichment programs and needs at the district's schools that aren't funded by the state. Saratoga Union School District includes Argonaut, Saratoga and Foothill elementary schools along with Redwood Middle School.
"Your child directly benefits from your donation," said Tracey Hadid, phone-a-thon co-chairwoman.
The callers are hoping to spread information about the purpose of the foundation, Hadid said, adding there will also be bilingual callers available. The nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by a group of Saratoga parents and residents is concerned about state funding cutbacks in public schools. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $8,325,000.
"We're very fortunate in Saratoga that we have a community that has the will and the means to full in the gap," said Saratoga Union School District Superintendent Lane Weiss.
Hadid said funds raised by the foundation benefit music programs, computer instruction, physical education, hands-on science, librarians, visual and theater arts and more. Sixth-grade students at Redwood would only get half a year of science if not for the foundation's funding, said foundation representative Pragati Grover.
Hadid said the phone-a-thon isn't "cold calling or high-pressure calling."
"We're not pressuring you or trying to sell anything," she said. "We're just asking for your support."
Terrie Creamer, the foundation's co-president, said the callers really believe in what it funds. They also appreciate anything donors are able to give, and there are payment programs available. Donations typically come from Saratoga parents, neighbors, grandparents, community members, business owners and company matching funds. While the foundation is asking for $700 per student from district parents, Creamer said organizers realize that not every family can give that amount.
"You have to be comfortable giving at the level you can give," she said.
For more information about the foundation or to make a donation, visit www.saratoga-sef.org.
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