Write the Future: More Than $100K Raised So Far

A group of fundraisers operating through the Foundation at Great Valley announced at the recent that they hoped to raise $250,000 in two weeks.

One week and a few hours later, their campaign, dubbed "Write the Future," has collected donations totaling more than $100,000. As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the group had collected $101,395 from individuals, families, organizations and businesses.

One of the organizers, Kim Fredrick, called it "a tremendous week for Great Valley schools" and said many donors are securing matching funds from their employers. She provided a complete update via e-mail:

Some news on the progress of the campaign:

• We have launched a Facebook page in an effort to reach out to GVSD alumni. (Search “Great Valley Write the Future” in Facebook to find our page.) We are asking alumni to show their support by indicating their graduation year along with their name on our Donor Wall.
• Today we posted a thermometer sign along Phoenixville Pike in front of Great Valley Middle School (photo attached). This will keep the community informed on our progress toward our ultimate goal of $261,600.
• Write the Future campaign signs are posted at each GVSD school. (Photo of a sign at KDM attached.)
• Those who wish to receive daily email updates on the Write the Future campaign can sign up here.
• All the details regarding the Write the Future campaign, as well as a regularly updated “thermometer” reading can be found at www.thefoundationatgreatvalley.org.

The campaign website includes a question-and-answer section, which details how the money will be spent:

11. How will the funds from the “jump start” campaign be used?

The funds raised will save the following items in the order listed. For example, if we raise $136,500, items 1 and 2 would be saved:  

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  1. Extra Duty Responsibilities (EDR’s):             $50,000

Saving this amount would ensure that EDR’s at the elementary level will remain as they are today, including, but not limited to activities like Student Council, Video Club, and Envirothon, intramurals and band/orchestra.

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  1. Athletics: (9TH grade and 7th grade sports):             $86,500

This item was selected because it does impact the daily lives of our students. Please note – if surrounding districts cut 9th grade sports, GVSD will be forced to follow suit. If that occurs, the funds raised for that program would be rolled into the next line item. 

•  
  1. Aide hours:             $120,000

This includes both science aides and other aide hours. Aides are an invaluable resource to our students, our teachers, and our administrators.  Saving all aide hours would account for $120,000 of this campaign.

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  1. Senior volunteers:              $5,100

Our senior volunteers play an important role in our schools. Our parent group believes that the cost of $5,100 to continue providing a stipend to senior volunteers goes a long way to supporting our school community’s relationship with our senior volunteers.

Total:            $261,600