WCEF RINGS IN NEW YEAR WITH NEW WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS

Thursday Night Out!, Going to ‘Boot Camp’ Among Ways to Provide Support

(Walnut Creek, Calif., January 6, 2009) –The New Year is off to a strong start for the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF). The Foundation has raised over $720,000, up from this time last year by over $80,000. Yet, the Foundation needs to raise an additional $122,000 to meet its goal of $842,000.

“Our diligent efforts continue, especially since our school districts are anticipating mid-year budget cuts. At this point, no one knows exactly what that amount will be, which is why we are being as proactive as possible with our fundraising efforts,” said Nancy Rivara, president of WCEF.

The challenging economic times has provided opportunities to create venues to increase support and visibility for both WCEF and their local business partners. “The programs being offered are another terrific way for us to collectively contribute and support invaluable academic programs and student services for our kids. Of course, it’s a fun way to support our local businesses, as well,” added Rivara.

You can begin the New Year by supporting WCEF in the following ways: Thursday Night Out! - Treat family and friends to meal on any Thursday night at one of the area restaurants supporting WCEF through the Thursday Night Out! program. Go to www.wcefk12.org to view listing of participating restaurants. WCEF Night/Golden State Warriors vs. Atlanta Hawks – Friday, January 16, 7:30 p.m., Oracle Arena, Oakland. For every ticket sold, $5 is donated. Ticket price includes meeting two GSW rookies, free-throws after the game, food voucher good for one hot-dog, coke. Go to www.wcefk12.org for ticket ordering information.
Corequest Fitness – voted best boot camp in the East Bay! Sign up now through January 31st and 20% of a full priced membership will go to WCEF. Call 925.457.4587 or go to www.CoreQuestFitness.com. Use promotional code WCEF 108.
Sports Basement – shop at their Walnut Creek location, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Road, now through February 20th and 10% of every dollar spent goes back to WCEF.
Good Search/Good Shop – shop online throughout the year and support WCEF at the same time. Go to www.goodsearch.com. Enter Walnut Creek Education Foundation as your charity of choice and through Goodshop, a percentage of your purchase from top retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Home Depot and others, will benefit WCEF.

For more information about these programs, to learn about other ways to donate, to make a donation online, or to volunteer, go to www.wcefk12.org or call 925.922.9233.

ABOUT WALNUT CREEK EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501c3 organization, tax I.D. #94-2915151 founded in 2005 to maintain academic programs that are cut due to the state’s education budget shortfall. WCEF receives support through financial and in-kind donations from business and corporate partners, parents, alumni, grants and the community-at-large. WCEF is managed by volunteers who are active supporters of the schools, and includes a board of directors made up of an executive committee, trustees and advisory members. The Foundation has two paid, part-time staff members – an executive director and data manager. For more information, contact WCEF at (925) 933.WCEF (9233) or go to www.wcefk12.org