Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1164462
DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 5 more help. There are about six of us plus help from the office staff. It's definitely a team effort." Par- ent Lizzy Anderson, who serves as 'volunteer accountant,' has the single biggest job with all of the DFS accounting. "This is important because we keep score of ticket sales by kids, and classrooms, and celebrate lots of different ways when we meet our fundrais- ing goals," says Darcy. The last few years they've surpassed their $25,000 school-wide DFS fundrais- ing goal. "Each year, we've thrown a school-wide pajama day pancake breakfast that the kids absolutely love," she says. Valencia sells most of their DFS tickets to family, friends, and neigh- bors. "We also sell tickets in public. Aptos Safeway has been very gen- erous year after year, letting us sell tickets in front of their store. It's good to sell tickets to people who know you and your school." To increase sales, they send tickets and a letter home with each student. "We tell our families our goals, why we raise money, and what we do with that money," says Darcy. The biggest single fundraising project at Valencia is its K through 2nd grade reading program. "We raise about $55,000 per year and 80 percent, or about $40,000, goes to pay the skilled staff who provide individualized attention to make sure all our kids read profi- ciently," says Darcy. In addition to reading program staff, the Club also provides funds for classroom supplies, science enrichment materials, garden supplies, and classroom computer carts (Chromebook carts cost about $13,000 each). "If it weren't for DFS we proba- bly wouldn't have a robust reading program at Valencia Elementary. We are very grateful to the good people at Boardwalk and the deal- erships and all the generous prize sponsors who do this each year for our kids," says Darcy. "It makes a real difference!" After so many years of Drive for Schools being so successful, the Boardwalk's Kris Reyes is always a little surprised when some schools choose not to participate. "Local schools can raise a lot of money for essential programs such as athletics, art, band, theater and many other purposes. We try to make it as easy as possible and we hope someday every school will take advantage of this great program." Parent Aaron Lieben, who has been the Green Acres Elementary School DFS coordinator for four years, volunteered to be coordina- tor when he noticed that the school wasn't optimizing their participation in the program. "Drive for Schools has been our most successful fund- raiser, bringing in up to $10,000 for Green Acres each of the last four years," says Aaron. "Classrooms compete for sales to win a go-kart party (the top three classes get the party). We also table around town and receive awesome community support. We're grateful for this opportunity to raise badly needed funds for our school." People interested in buying tickets to support Green Acres can contact the school office. In the past, Green Acres has used most of their DFS proceeds to fund the school's popular Life Lab Garden program, with a small amount also benefiting science camp and other programs. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education's (SCCOE) Special Edu- cation Department has been the beneficiary of day-of-drawing sales since 2006, when the Boardwalk began partnering with the event. "We are proud to be able to sup- port such a great program for our community," says Karley Pope. Deven Wood, Ph.D., BCBA-D, has been Senior Director of Special Education at SCCOE for four years. She's entering her 11th year with SCCOE. Prior to being a director, she oversaw the program for stu- dents with autism in her capacity as a School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Wood shares a challenge faced by Special Education: "Our depart- ment operates regional programs to serve the nine local school districts in Northern Santa Cruz County by providing specialized programs for students with mod- erate to severe disabilities," she says. "Overall, special education is a federally mandated and needed service for students, but is inad- equately funded by the federal or state government." So the Drive for Schools fundraiser is a wel- come gift, providing about $500 each year. "We use the money to fund the celebratory graduation ceremony for our Post-Senior students who are aging out of special education at age 22," says Wood. "These students receive Certificates of Completion at the ceremony. The money is used to purchase caps and gowns, decora- tions, flowers, etc." Want to help Special Ed? On the day of the drawing, held at the Boardwalk—Sunday Oct. 27, 2019— car dealership staff mem- bers sell DFS tickets at the Board- walk for two hours. All proceeds from these two hours benefit the Special Education Department. Even if you've already bought some tickets, it's an opportunity to get a few more chances to win fabulous prizes. Sales start when the Board- walk opens, at 11 a.m., until the time of the drawing, 1 p.m. For the most up to date prize list, visit beachboardwalk.com/ Drive-For-Schools/Prizes. While the Drive for Schools program is active, Boardwalk staff members regularly add to the prize list as lo- cal businesses make donations. CONTINUED FROM 4 Mar Vista Elementary