Due to the pandemic and for other economic reasons, the Los Alamitos Unified School District is asking for its families to pitch in to assist the Los Alamitos Educational Foundation.
Board President Marlys Davidson dedicated her report on Tuesday to profiling the nonprofit fundraising arm of the school district, noting in a slide presentation the organization was down $400,000 and that has put some of its educational programs at risk.
LAEF, said Davidson, is a “trusted partner” of the school district, which “unites all of us for the betterment of our children.”
As noted in earlier accounts, she also said Dr. Gregg Stone, who came out of retirement to serve as the principal of Los Alamitos High School, is an “indomitable spirit” and is the “perfect king for the online February campaign.”
Because the pandemic has shut down LAEF’s annual fundraising gala, Davidson said LAEF is conducting several efforts during its “fundraising February” to raise money to support the organization. LAEF, she said, is “a trusted partner of the community, engaging measurably to improve student achievement and educational enrichment” through a variety of programs.
“We’re encouraging each Los Alamitos family to donate $50 or more if you can” to LAEF, said Davidson, noting that the nonprofit donates to mental health programs, STEM, and STEAM programs, funds wellness centers for students and helps economically struggling families with a fee waiver program.
For instance, Davidson said LAEF donated $25,000 in 2019 and $35,000 in 2020 to construct wellness centers at Oak and McAuliffe Middle schools and provided, at a cost of $30,000, more than 250 fee waivers for economically struggling families in 2020.
In addition, she said LAEF is committed to providing the funds to keep the current centers stocked with needed snacks, beverages, and other supplies.
There are several events underway this month to benefit LAEF, including a promotion by CleanWave Express car wash in Rossmoor/Los Alamitos and an ongoing campaign “Fundraising February for Los Al Kids” features longtime educator and current principal of Los Alamitos High School Dr. Gregg Stone as the 2021 King.
More information is available at www.laef4kids.org/fundfeb.
Checks can be mailed directly to: Los Alamitos Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1210, Los Alamitos, CA 90720.
