Wednesday, May 23, 2001
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Wednesday, May 23, 2001 |
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Fayette County Education Foundation ready for donations Businesses and organizations wishing to donate money to support various programs and activities within the Fayette County School System now have an easy, convenient way of doing so. The Fayette County Education Foundation, which has been in the planning stages for three years, is now in place and ready to accept donations. "We had been kicking around the idea in our partners in education program for several years. We asked the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Board of Education last year if they would cosponsor the foundation," said Jim Pittman, director of the Fayette County Community School and vice chairman of the foundation. The foundation has already received its first two donations from ATL Cargo Sales Inc. and the Georgia Science Supervisors Association, which total $600. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible. The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce originally donated $1,000 to help set up the foundation. The money was used to offset expenses required to get the foundation operational such as filing necessary legal papers to obtain nonprofit status. Pittman says the foundation will support three main areas of funding within the school system. Teachers and schools will be able to apply for mini grants to get financial help for special projects not covered in the regular instructional budget. College scholarships will be made available for students and employees wishing to pursue a career in teaching. Pittman says these scholarships will be given annually depending on the availability of funds. Foundation monies will also be used to support student and teacher recognition programs such as the annual Teacher of the Year celebration as well as other events honoring outstanding performances of pupils and instructors within the system. "We are still in the planning stages. There might be other things that we can help fund through the foundation once we get off the ground and running," Pittman adds. Sometime this summer the foundation is planning to kick-off its first fundraiser campaign. Local businesses as well as employees and retirees of the Fayette County School System will be invited to contribute money to the foundation. Employees wishing to make a donation will soon be able to have any amount of their choice deducted from their monthly paychecks. Anyone who would like to receive more information on the Fayette County Education Founation can call 770-460-3990, ext. 135 to receive a free brochure in the mail. A board of directors has been formed to oversee the operation of the foundation. The board members are Mark Hall (chairman), Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, Jim Pittman (vice chairman), director of the Fayette County Community School, Rick Lindsey (secretary), Webb, Stuckey & Lindsey, Tim Anders, Frank Caywood Company, Stuart Bennett, assistant superintendent of curriculum, Jack Bowdoin, Heritage Bank, Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, public information specialist for Fayette County Schools, Tate Godfrey, Pathway Communities, Connie Hale, Danny Harrison, Fayette Daily News, Marion Key, Fayette County Board of Education, Lou McLean, Fayette County Community School, Jim Stephens, Fayette County Schools and Ashley Taylor, SunTrust Bank.
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