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6 SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS B onnie Holmer-Orange has a message for parents regard- ing Drive for Schools, the largest school fundraiser Santa Cruz County: It benefits your kids as much as it does your school's budget. Now in its fifteenth year, Drive for Schools has successfully raised more than $6.1 million total for local schools since 2005. As part of Drive for Schools, parents and students sell tick- ets for an Oct. 27 drawing at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The fundraiser costs the student noth- ing and 100 percent of the pro- ceeds go to the student's school. The grand prize winner chooses between a new Toyota Prius LE, a Subaru Crosstrek, or $25,000 in cash. The drawing also includes ten $1,000 cash prizes, plus 90 additional prizes. Drive for Schools is an "unbe- lievable" opportunity for students to develop skills in a wide range of skills, not just sales, according to Holmer-Orange, who acted as fundraising coordinator for Mission Hill Middle School in 2018. Holmer-Orange says the expe- rience of delivering a sales pitch to friends and neighbors boosted all three of her kids' confidence, honed their people skills, and, most importantly, instilled resil- iency. "They developed an open- ing line, a 30-second pitch, and learned how to deal with rejection when someone said, 'No thank you," said Holmer-Orange. "They learned grit." Grit, defined as holding stead- fast to a goal over a long period of time, is considered one of the most important indicators for success, according to renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth, even more important than IQ. "Grit is about perseverance and passion. It's about sticking with a goal over the course of months and seeing it through," said Holmer-Orange. "That's a big gift that programs like Drive for Schools can give your child." Holmer-Orange also believes the Drive for Schools experience made all three of her children more civic-minded. "When kids support their school or charity or scout troop, it cre- ates a sense of community, of responsibility to others. They learn the importance of service to others," said Holmer-Orange. Schools receive everything they need including tickets, posters, prizes and support, making the fundraiser easy for school vol- unteers to launch. Trophies are awarded to schools in four cat- egories - high school, junior high, elementary and spirit - for raising the most money. Winning schools will hold the trophy for a year. Last year, Mission Hill Middle School raised $10,317, claim- ing the trophy in the junior high category. But after eight years in Drive for Schools, Holmer-Orange won't be leading the charge to re- peat at Mission Hill. Like her chil- dren, Holmer-Orange has moved on, but she hopes that many other parents will replace her. "Parents should understand how miniscule their school's bud- get is. It is very limited and there is an expectation that the school will fundraise to bridge the gap. Drive for Schools is a homegrown fundraiser that will make your children more resilient humans while contributing significantly to your school's budget. It's a no-brainer. Get out there," said Holmer-Orange. The public can purchase tickets beginning Sept. 12 for $5 each or $25 for 6. Ticket sales end Oct. 20. For more information, visit beachboardwalk.com/Drive-For- Schools. TEACHING KIDS GRIT AND BOOSTING SCHOOL BUDGETS By Ryan Masters 2018 Drive For Schools Mission Hill Middle School