The Orcas School Booster Club has “stepped into the batters box” to support all athletic programs at the public school.
“We are committed to the success of our students through participation in a strong, scholastic, athletic program,” says member and parent Kevin O’Brien. “The Boosters would like to publicly thank the Orcas Island Community Foundation (for operational support and the Orcas Island Education Foundation for the generous ‘matching challenge grant’ of $5000 toward the high school winter sports programs.”
OIEF is challenging community members to match their donation. The grant will be fully funded when equally matched.
The Booster Club’s goals are to raise $11,000 by Jan. 1, 2012 to fund winter sports programs and raise an additional $63,000 by fall of 2012 to ensure all sports will be fully funded programs outside the budgeting process of the OISD and work with the Orcas Island School District, Orcas Island Park and Recreation and the community to create sustainable funding for scholastic athletics.
The Boosters have received $3000 in donations. With the OIEF matching grant of $5000, the organization is $3,000 short of reaching its goal of $11,000 for winter sports.
The Booster Club seeks community partners in working to solve the current funding challenges faced by the school district. Precipitated by statewide cuts in funding and the global economic downturn, the Orcas Island School District’s 2011-2012 budget, created this summer, did not allow for winter and spring sports. In addition, it budgeted for the library to close, and some other mid-year staffing reductions.
The Boosters will continue to fundraise an additional $63,000 to fund school athletics through fall of 2012 while seeking a sustainable solution to athletic program funding.
To donate, pay by check to the the Orcas Island Community Foundation “Booster Fund” at P.O. Box 1496, Eastsound, WA 98245 or online at oicf.us (specify “Booster Fund”).
For questions regarding donations or involvement with Boosters, call or email any of the following members: Candace Bodenhamer, 376-2665; Vicki Vandermay, vickir@centurytel.net, 376-5068; Dianna Hofmann, dhofmann62@hotmail.com, 376-7585; Kevin O’Brien, kevinkobrien@msn.com, (206) 200-1086, Cathy Ferran, orcasmom@gmail.com, 376-1510.
