Dena Baker Sumer Crenshaw Amanda Gamble Joanne Herbert Linda Broderson

Kristina Bowman Terra Loomis Clover Willison Karman Willner

"The future of our world will be in the hands of children. The tools that these hands use will be forged by the quality of opportunities our small rural community is able to provide for them now. Healthy, vibrant schools are not guaranteed by the state. They are fostered by their communities. Through its fundraising efforts, the Southern Humboldt Schools Foundation will help create an enriched, exciting and engaging education for our children, inspiring them to become life-long learners."

Mission Statement of the Southern Humboldt Schools Foundation


Dear Parents and Friends,

The Southern Humboldt Schools Foundation (SOS) strongly believes that the health and vitality of a community is directly connected to its commitment to its youth and their education. The 2010-2011 school year is well underway and this year we are celebrating our 21st year of fundraising for our local schools. As you are aware, the funding that our schools receive from the state of California is in turmoil, the economy is still in a recession, and yes, we know that everybody’s budget is further stretched. However, we cannot turn our backs on our kids, we have to give them support and see that they receive a quality education in Southern Humboldt.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all the students, parents and community members who traveled to Sacramento in January to help convince our state representatives to restore the Home to School Transportation funding so our kids have busses to ride to and from school on a daily basis. We, as a community have a vested interest in the education of our young people; after all they are our future leaders, teachers, small business owners, lawyers, doctors, and numerous other workers.

Upcoming fundraising events to benefit SOS, which is the fundraising entity for our district schools include: a Mardi Gras dinner/dance/auction event will be held on March 3, 2012 at the Mateel Community Center hosted by the Garberville Rotary Club. All proceeds from this over 21 years of age fun filled evening will be generously donated to SOS. Thank you to the board of directors at the Mateel for donating the facility for this event. Other fundraising projects for this year will include the annual membership drive starting with this letter and a St. Patrick’s corned beef and cabbage dinner at the Garberville Fire department on March 17, 2012 starting at 3:00 PM.

Our annual membership drive is a major source of income for our schools. Contributions to this membership drive are critical to sustaining the programs that our schools currently have in place. Membership contributions, site specific projects and special fundraising events this past year allowed us to fund two teaching blocks at South Fork High School, a cost of over $30,000 and distribute $5250 this past November to our elementary schools. Redway School received $2000 to fund Redway’s Violin and music program. In addition SOS awarded Whitethorn Elementary $1500 for technology upgrades, Ettersburg received $250 for music, $750 was awarded to Agnes Johnson Elementary for their music program and Casterlin was awarded $750 for their music and aikido programs.

The SOS for South Fork High School fundraising campaign issued $4000 to the high school to be divided equaling among all departments for supplies and materials. Members of our community are currently raising money to restore the 6th and 7th grade music position at Redway Elementary for the 2012-2013 school year. It is this same community spirit that has saved programs from being cut in the past.

The Southern Humboldt Schools Foundation Executive Committee is committed to raising funds for all schools in our district. Money raised from this membership campaign support the schools and their programs, including music and art. You, as a contributor always have the option to designate your contribution to a specific school, and or program. Raising funds locally allows us to respond to this community’s priorities.

We have a lot to be proud of in these difficult times of uncertain funding for our public schools. Many educational programs exist at our schools because of our community’s support. Organizations such as ours, the generous support of service clubs, local businesses and individuals make this possible. Despite harsh economic times, our schools still provide strong academic classes, art, elementary and high school music. A variety of classes offered this year at South Fork includes: broadcast journalism, ceramics, art, drama, music, landscape art, yearbook, culinary arts, and extra and co-curricular activities. South Fork High School also offers College of the Redwoods classes for our students and community members to enroll in.

Help us keep the playgrounds safely equipped; music, art, and drama in the classrooms; books in the libraries, vocational classes at South Fork High School, and school field trips. Our partnership with the South Fork High School Booster Club has allowed us to keep extra-curricular activities alive at South Fork High School. These programs are essential to the development of our young people and for some, the most compelling reasons for staying in school.

SOS continues to work hard to preserve the wide range of programs critical to our young people. As we brainstorm ways to support our local schools we welcome your ideas, and energy, as well as your donation. Please send your tax-deductible contribution today in the enclosed remit envelope or you can make a direct deposit to the Community Credit Union, in Garberville, account #7835. Thank you for your continued support to SOS and helping us to sustain programs at all our school sites. This tax deductible gift will keep on giving to our children in our community for many years to come.

Sincerely,


SOS Member

PS: I want to add a few words of gratitude as I officially retire from SOS. As a founding board member of this committee I want to extend a special thank you to all, for supporting our schools. It has been a privilege to work with so many outstanding people, from all walks of life and to unite for one cause: to support our kids and see that they get the education they deserve. My two children received an outstanding education here. So will yours, it just takes a lot of involvement, hard work and dedication. From the bottom of my heart a sincere thanks.
Sincerely, Linda


To donate please print out and mail this form. Donation Form