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| Ross
Mason photo |
Funding
from Public Education Partnership makes it possible
for Lane Shockley to share a good read after school
with Charlotte Lalliss at Desert Sun Elementary School.
(Click picture to see larger image) |
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Golf
fundraiser boosts Foothills foundation
Mirabel Country Club to host event
by
Jennifer Krahe
PHOENIX - "There are so many worthy causes. The 80 20
rule applies," admits John Abram, chairman of the education
division of the Foothills Community Foundation, a nonprofit,
volunteer run fundraising organization in the Desert Foothills.
"Twenty percent want to give back to the community, and
they're hit up all the time," Abram said with a laugh.
For Abram and the Foundation's education division, Public
Education Partnership (PEP) created by Paul Schilling 20 years
ago, raising funds is tricky. PEP supports public education
in the Cave Creek Unified School District, a highly diverse
group of 11 schools (eight public and three charter) stretching
from Northeast Phoenix to Carefree, all the way through North
Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
He describes Carefree as essentially a retirement area, and
lovingly pegs Cave Creek as its somewhat rebellious neighbor.
North Scottsdale, he notes, is full of affluent gated communities,
and typical demographic for Northeast Phoenix is families
starting out with small children.
"Those five pieces of geography all fall into Cave Creek
[Unified School District]," Abram said. "We have
to find ways to reach all five communities." |
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The
organization's latest fundraiser is a golf tournament at the exclusive
Mirabel Country Club, 37401 N. Mirabel Club Drive in Scottsdale.
Slated for May 1, Abram hopes that it will attract those interested
in playing on the private course designed by Tom Fazio.
"The Mirabel tournament is expected to bring in $30,000,"
said RoseMary Ciamatti, a volunteer with the Foothills Community
Foundation. The golf event is only one contributor to PEP, with
other fundraisers making up the $200,000 earmarked by the program
for education.
PEP raises funds for programs that are not tax funded, as well as
those for life long learning. They present more than 100 scholarships
every year, intended to pay the cost of supplemental tutorial and
summer school opportunities for which parents are usually charged.
The organization works directly with teachers in the Cave Creek
Unified School District, entrusting them with the responsibility
of determining "children at risk." PEP considers students
at risk when they are in danger of failing out before high school.
The students' families must also qualify financially.
The Foothills Community Association's Public Education Partnership
is an organization with a noble cause, but there are many of those
in the area. The group's greatest challenge is remaining innovative,
both in its fundraising and in its involvement in the community.
PEP is very excited about the Mirabel golf tournament.
Abram says the "trick is to help them (the diverse groups within
Cave Creek Unified School District), understand what the needs are
and feel ownership." Continuing to be aware of the diversity
encompassed in the district, and holding charity events that are
appealing to a wide range of individuals, from Cave Creekers to
the young parents in Northeast Phoenix just might do the trick.
Reach the reporter at jennifer@thedesertadvocate.com |
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