Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1027283
4 SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS A s the school year starts in Santa Cruz County, efforts to help students have the best possible experience also get underway. Parents are looking for ways they can contribute to their children's classrooms, and teachers and administrators are looking for the best resources. That's where community support comes in. The annual Drive for Schools fundraiser is set to kick off Sept. 12 and run through Oct. 21. A joint effort between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Toyota of Santa Cruz and Suba- ru of Santa Cruz, the fundraiser gives 100 percent of proceeds back to the schools. Organiz- ers credit Subaru of Santa Cruz for starting Drive for Schools in 2005 with a modest fundraiser that exponentially expanded. The Santa Cruz Beach Board- walk and Toyota of Santa Cruz soon joined Subaru of Santa Cruz to support and grow the fundraiser. Now in its 14th year, schools across the county have used the fundraiser to bring in more than $5.4 million since the pro- gram began. Last year alone, schools that participated raised more than $714,000 for their classrooms. The funds are used for computers, classroom aides, supplies and a host of other needs determined by each school. This year, organizers are setting their sights on a loftier goal: $1 million. "We've been able to raise more money each year than the year before," said Kris Reyes, director of external affairs for the Santa Cruz Beach Board- walk. "The program is showing steady growth, so we thought it was a good opportunity to be really ambitious and set a big goal." The fundraiser brought in just above $645,000 in 2016 and jumped above $715,000 in 2017 — a difference of $70,000. Still, Reyes said bridging a gap of more than a quarter million is a big jump. But it gives schools and organizers a fun number to shoot for and it gives power to the effort by having students say they're aiming for $1 mil- lion. And there's strong commu- nity support behind the effort. The grand prize winner of the raffle could go home with a Subaru Crosstrek, a Toyota Pri- us C or $25,000 in cash. Other local businesses donate prizes to the cause as well, with more than 100 prizes to be given away to ticket holders. Many of the program's orga- nizers are alumni of Santa Cruz County's elementary, middle and high schools. That personal connection is something felt by each person as they go about donating their time and effort to the cause. "I feel proud when I see Santa Cruz High participating in Drive for Schools and rais- ing money for important school programs, because that's where I went to school," Reyes said. "And I know the same is true for my co-workers who went to Harbor High, Soquel High and various elementary schools in Santa Cruz County." As much effort as the Board- walk and the auto dealers put into organizing and support- ing the fundraiser, the program wouldn't be a success without the work done by the students, teachers, parents and school administrators hustling to sell the tickets. Each year, students can be seen outside grocery stores and other businesses selling tickets to raise money for their schools. "The success really comes from the schools and the par- ticipation they bring to the pro- gram," Reyes said. "To see the creative things they come up with to sell the tickets and then to learn about all the ways they use the money to make their schools better, is really inspir- ing." A FUNDRAISER WITH A LOT OF MOVING PARTS BY CALVIN MEN