TERRE HAUTE —
Through various fundraising events, Vigo County School Corp. students and staff raised $50,000 for a United Way early childhood education program.
District officials presented a check to United Way of the Wabash Valley earlier this week. Several years ago, the district began an annual initiative to raise money for a community agency.
The $50,000 donation “is the biggest check we’ve ever written” as part of the annual fundraising effort, said Superintendent Dan Tanoos.
The money will go toward the United Way Success by Six program, intended to provide every child with the opportunity to develop basic reading skills so they enter kindergarten ready to learn.
“We’re very grateful for the generous support,” said Troy Fears, United Way executive director. “It will help thousands of kids in the Wabash Valley get the skills they need to be successful as they enter kindergarten.”
The donation will help fund programs such as Real Men Read, Reading Buddies, Born Learning Trails and other early childhood education initiatives.
Schools raised the money in a number of ways, including penny wars and the high school Simply the Best Basketball jamboree. At West Vigo High School, Principal Tom Balitewicz participated in a dunking booth to raise money, while at Sarah Scott Middle School, some students had the opportunity to throw cream pies at school staff — for a donation.
All schools participated. Fuqua Elementary raised $9,435 through an auction, while Terre Town raised $4,000.
One of the goals of the annual program is to emphasize to students the importance of giving back to their community, Tanoos said. Someday, they will become the community’s leaders.
For next year, the district will support two programs, including the Terre Haute Women’s Club. That club’s Shoe Bus program each year gives out 1,200 pairs of new shoes and 2,400 pairs of new socks to Vigo County students in need.
In the second program, the school district will implement a food backpack program in all schools next year, also to benefit students in need.
At Franklin Elementary, 97.6 percent of students qualify for free/reduced lunches, while at Riley Elementary, 25.9 percent of students of students qualify.
Even the more affluent schools have pockets of poverty, Tanoos said.
A few years ago, Terre Haute North Vigo started a food backpack program in which students can pick up a nutritious food to take home for the weekend.
Starting with the next school year, a similar program will be offered at all schools. Students will be able to pick up plastic bags of nutritious food each Friday, Tanoos said.
Terre Haute Regional and Union hospitals, as well as Bemis, are donating plastic bags for the program. Schools will conduct fundraisers to raise money for the food. Purchases of food will occur through the VCSC food services department.
The goal for next year is to raise $25,000 for the Terre Haute Women’s Club and another $25,000 for the school district food program, Tanoos said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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Donation part of Vigo students, staff annual effort to help community
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