Now that this school year is behind us we have already started to fundraise for next year. I am happy to report that our parent and community fundraising campaign for 2009-10 has begun in earnest and as of June 16 we have received almost $176,000 in parent donations. While that is a great start, we are realizing that all of our community is facing even harder economic times and there is a greater need now more than before to increase our donor participation rate. Give what you can –when you can. I encourage you to view the online video, “You and WCEF Together” to see what a difference well placed funding can make for our students.

Speaking of stepping up, I am thrilled to report that two of our PTAs have stepped forward this spring and donated a total of $25,000 to WCEF to the spring campaign. Our heartfelt thanks to the WCI PTA ($10,000) and the Murwood PTA ($15,000) for these generous donations.

Due to personal circumstances, I am unable to continue to serve as WCEF president for a second year and I am very grateful for a most understanding Board and for their support of this difficult decision. In reviewing this year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the hardworking WCEF Board of Directors, WCEF staff, and to the awesome WCEF community for their unwavering support of WCEF during this school year.

Thank you so very much for being a collaborative partner with WCEF, no matter the size of your donation.

Gratefully,
Nancy Rivara, WCEF President

WCEF helps fund librarians at all schools next year

Our children are growing up in the computer age. New technologies have redefined how they learn, with search engines and websites sharing the stage with microfiche and the Dewey decimal system. The rise of computers has led many to fear the demise of books. If the libraries at Las Lomas, WCI and the five elementary schools in the WCSD are any indication, that fear is clearly misplaced. As Indian Valley Librarian Joan Anderton points out, “Despite what some pundits want you to believe, books are here to stay.” In fact, our libraries remain a vital component of our children’s education, serving as thriving resource centers and quiet sanctuaries. Recognizing their critical role, WCEF is committed to funding library services and hours that might otherwise be threatened by budget cuts.

Click here to read the full article.

WCEF Volunteers

It takes thousands of hours to raise the dollars needed to support the vital academic programs and student support services provided by the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas. Click here for volunteer list. Next time you see a WCEF volunteer, please thank them for their passion and their dedication with helping our schools provide the quality education our children deserve.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Business owners and corporations understand that partnering with a great school district and reaching thousands of families with their message, product or service is powerful and boosts economic success.

Whether in times of economic prosperity or in the challenging economic times that we are currently experiencing, ensuring that our future business leaders and innovators receive an excellent education, starting right from Kindergarten, is one of the most important endeavors that we can help our kids with.

WCEF's Business Partnership Program is an outstanding opportunity for local and regional companies to provide financial support to save the quality academic and enrichment programs and student support services that will be cut due to the State education budget crisis.

With various funding levels of participation, businesses and corporations can help make a big difference in the Walnut Creek School District and at Las Lomas High School of the Acalanes Union High School District. Our business partners receive ample recognition and positive public relations benefits for their support.

For more information or to help, contact WCEF executive director, Lisa Heinrich at lheinrich7@gmail.com; 925.708.6090 or WCEF business development chairwoman, Ellen Osmundson of Prudential California Realty at www.EllenOsmundson.com; 925.939.7460.

WCEF BUSINESS PARTNER -
ROY COX PRODUCTIONS

Walnut Creek-based video producer, Roy Cox recently received a “crash course” about WCEF and loved every minute of it. When WCEF volunteer, Eva Santelli, approached Cox about filming some local students for WCEF’s 2009 campaign video, he heeded the call and went into “action”. After all, with three granddaughters attending Walnut Creek Schools – Carlie at WCI, Jessica at Murwood and Haley at Parkmead, Cox has a vested interest.

While filming students in grades K-12, Cox discovered that the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School has some very talented, intelligent and terrific young people. Filming was completed in four days and the experience convinced Cox, more than ever, that kids truly want to ‘dream’, ‘explore’ and ‘discover’ – a philosophy Roy Cox Productions incorporates throughout their creative process when producing their corporate videos and documentaries.

During production of “You and WCEF Together” Cox says he not only learned a lot about WCEF and its mission, but that things have certainly changed since his son attended public schools over 10 years ago. “Classes that were once provided like music, art, and P.E. – or staff positions like librarians or counselors, now have to be funded just to stay alive,” expressed Cox. “We all need to be reminded that reading and writing, music, art, P.E. and even dance stimulates creativity and contributes greatly to a young person’s ability to look inside themselves, and to better express their story to the world. And the ability to tell their stories, opens their minds and hearts to hearing stories from others,” added Cox.

With over 25 years of experience producing films and documentaries for events, television and the Internet, Cox is proud of a client list that includes Apple, Chevron, Archer Daniels Midland, and many of Silicon Valley’s most innovative companies. Over the last 18 months, Roy Cox Productions has produced “Guided Tours” for the iPhone and iPod, along with a series of “Artist Lessons” for Apple’s GarageBand – featuring the likes of Sting, Sarah McLaughlin, John Fogerty, and Nora Jones teaching users how to play their hit songs.

Roy Cox Productions’ creative body of work has made, and will continue to make lasting impressions. Just watch “You and WCEF Together” and you’ll discover why.

“You and WCEF Together” was entirely filmed and produced at no charge by Roy Cox Productions. For more information about Roy Cox Productions, go to www.roycoxproductions.com.

Other ways to give to WCEF

In addition to our Parent Campaign here are some other ways you, your family and friends can support WCEF.

Thursday Night Out! Continues during the Summer!

Tired of cooking dinner? Or maybe its just too hot. Want to raise money for our schools? It’s easy with Thursday Night Out! Just eat at a participating restaurant (on Thursday, of course) and tell them you “Support WCEF.” You’ll have a great meal and 10-15% of your tab will be donated back to WCEF. What could be easier? Don’t forget to tell you neighbors, friends and family too! Click Here for a list of participating restaurants

Saturday Shoppers

Are you a Saturday Shopper? If you find yourself in one of the participating stores on a Saturday let them know that, you “support our schools and WCEF” and the participating stores will donate 10-15% of your purchase to WCEF. Click here for a list of stores

Visit our website for other ways to give including; Stocks and Securities, Vehicle Donation,Donations in Kind, Memorial Tribute,Charitable Remainder Trust or Traditional Bequest and Volunteering.

Help Us Help YOU Get Free Money! Take advantage of Corporate Matching!

It is very likely that your employer has a corporate matching program and we encourage you to take advantage of it! This is when an employer matches a part or all of an employee's donation to a charity. This process must be initiated by the employee through their Human Resources or Payroll department and the paperwork sent to WCEF at PO Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

We have a partial list of employers with matching programs, but if you don't see your employer, be sure to ask your HR department.

GoodSearch.com

GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use as you would any search engine; get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your designated charity! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, BestBuy, eBay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop. Each time you place an order with a simple click of the button, you'll support your favorite cause.

Go to www.goodsearch.com, enter Walnut Creek Education Foundation as your charity of choice, and shop! And, be sure to spread the word to friends and family. It's a fast, easy and fun way to support our schools.

WCEF • P.O. Box 186 • Walnut Creek, CA 94597