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T ricia Aminifard cannot overstate the importance of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group in fundraising for schools. The two entities – under the umbrella of the Santa Cruz Seaside Company – are the driving force behind Drive for Schools, an annual program that has raised more than $4.7 million for schools since it began 13 years ago. While there are many avenues to raise money for classrooms, there are few that provide so much support for schools while allowing them to keep all the money raised. "This would not be as successful without the Boardwalk," said Aminifard, one of the key fundraising coordinators for Mar Vista Elementary in Aptos. When the program began through Subaru of Santa Cruz, only a handful of schools were involved. Since then, the program has grown to encompass more than 85 schools around the county. After coordinators at each school go through an orientation program, they're handed tickets for the drawing that go out to the children to sell. Schools can raise hundreds of dollars through the program, but schools that push the program can raise thousands. Those dollars can be used by schools for various programs, depending on the individual needs of the schools. Some use them for classroom supplies while others earmark them for technology upgrades or art and music programs. Darcy Pruitt, a coordinator at Valencia Elementary School, credits the fundraiser for a number of programs and supplies at the school. Students raised $24,000 in 2016 and the school used the funds to pay for classroom reading aides and computers to share between classrooms. Pruitt acknowledged Karley Pope at the Boardwalk and Jody Turner of the auto mall for their hard work. Mar Vista Elementary raised $15,000 through the program in 2016. Aminifard chalks it up to the children and their recognition of the fundraiser's importance. While there are competitions between classrooms at the school, she credits old-fashioned sales pitches by the kids. She recalls a woman buying $200 worth of tickets because of one student's explanation. "You'd be surprised how the shyest kid comes out of their shell to tell people about the needs of the school," she said. Bengie Hodges, the parent coordinator at Tierra Pacifica Charter School in Live Oak, can attest to helping kids find enthusiasm when it comes to raising money. In 2016, the school, which teaches grades K-8, won "most money raised by a combined grade level" for raising an astonishing $27,000. During the fundraiser, she and students can be seen in front of the school waving signs and energetically encouraging people to buy tickets. "I'm very into it and the kids get on board. They'll stand out in the parking lot and wave signs around," she said with a laugh. She admits part of it is due to her competitive nature. But the school also focuses heavily on this fundraiser rather than several throughout the year. While she joked that it would cut into the funds Tierra Pacifica would raise, Hodges encouraged any school not participating in the program to jump on board. "There's no reason not to try. If you are at a school not doing it, get out there and sign up," she said. THE CHAMPIONS THAT FUEL THE SCHOOLS BY CALVIN MEN Valencia Elementary DAN COYRO - SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 3

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