Vacaville Reporter - Vacaville has funds coming in!

Vacaville United School District's Support Our Students campaign has funds coming in
By Ryan Chalk / The Reporter
Posted: 04/22/2010 01:03:26 AM PDT

Forced to deal with California's budget crisis, school districts across the state have had to come up with creative solutions to maintain programs and keep class sizes small.

In the last month or so, Vacaville Unified School District has identified itself as a leader in finding innovative methods to raise money for schools. As education funding in the state has reached crisis mode, the district has responded with its Support Our Students campaign. Through the work of dedicated parents, teachers, school officials and concerned community members and local businesses, the much needed funds are coming in.

The fundraising campaign grabbed headlines earlier this month when it debuted a mobile texting feature. By using a mobile device such as a cell phone, anyone can donate to the campaign by texting SOS to 25383 and make a $10 donation.

The SOS committee is made up of Parent Teacher Association/Organization members representing each school in the district along with district staff and concerned community members. The goal is to raise $1 million through an intense grassroots campaign that has a deadline of May 31.

The urgency stems from an estimated $8 million cut the district could face for the 2010-11 school year. This comes after the district has been forced to make roughly $17 million in cuts over the past few years due to state budget shortfalls.

Nearly $30,000 has been raised so far through various fundraising activities.

Last weekend, Orchard, Callison and Padan elementary schools held rummage sales which brought in several thousand dollars. Hemlock parents also raised $670 in raffle ticket sales at the Home and Garden Show over the weekend. Pacific Ace Hardware in Vacaville donated a decorative iron bicycle to the school for the raffle.

The list of fundraising events continues to grow.

Callison Elementary is hosting a "Stampin' Up!" stamp camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 8 in the multipurpose room. Those who register by April 30 can make 20 different projects for $20 and 50 percent of the fee will go to SOS. Contact M. Amber Geehan at 320-0558, or e-mail craftinowl@me.com for details.

Nugget Market in Vacaville has also partnered with the SOS campaign and through April 30, shoppers can make a tax deductible donation at the checkstand. Donation amount will appear at the bottom of the receipt.

The AAA branch at 555 Mason St., in Vacaville has also partnered with the campaign. AAA will make a donation whenever a customer mentions the Vacaville Unified School District or SOS. They will donate $5 for those who come in for an insurance quote, $10 for a policy, $20 for multiple policies (auto and homeowners), and $20 for a life insurance policy. For more information, call AAA at 451-7127.

To keep up with fundraising events or to make a donation, log on to www.vacavilleusd.org or www.vusdsos.blogspot .com. To mail a donation, send to: SOS/VUSD Budget Crisis Fund, 751 School St., Vacaville, CA 95688.

An instructional video on how to text donations to the SOS fund is also included on the VUSD Web site.

The next meeting of the VUSD/SOS committee is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday inside the Country High School conference room, 100 McClellan St., Vacaville.