North Thurston Education Foundation Featured on KIRO Radio

From left to right, Damon Martin (Mathis Exterminating), Dori Monson (KIRO) and Blake Knoblauch (North Thurston Education Foundation Board President)

Thanks to our friend and donor, Damon Martin with Mathis Exterminating, North Thurston Education was featured on KIRO Radio. You can listen to the clip here:

North Thurston Education Foundation Announces its Annual Meeting and 30th Year

North Thurston Education Foundation Announces its Annual Meeting and 30th Year

Lacey, WA, January 9, 2019 – The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) is holding their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m. at the Board Room of North Thurston Public Schools, Administrative Center, 305 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516. According to the organization’s bylaws, anyone who has donated $25 or more qualifies as a member and may attend.

There will be an opportunity to meet and greet other members and the Board of Directors and enjoy light refreshments prior to the meeting. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. This year, NTEF is celebrating 30 years serving the students of North Thurston Public Schools.

What: North Thurston Education Foundation Annual Meeting, open to all *members

(*A member is anyone who has donated $25 or more.)

Where: Board Room of North Thurston Public Schools, Administrative Center, 305 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516

When: Tuesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m.

 ABOUT NORTH THURSTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION: Incorporated in 1989, the North Thurston Education Foundation is an independent, tax-exempt non-profit volunteer organization that raises funds to eliminate financial barriers to student success among North Thurston students from low-income families.  In addition to the scholarship program, the Foundation provides staff at each district school with student assistance funds that can be used for student needs that cannot be met with public funds; provides financial help to the district’s more than one thousand homeless students; and makes grants to teachers for special classroom projects.  More information about the Foundation is available at www.ntef.org.

Did you Know?

 

North Thurston Education Foundation is an approved non-profit in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program. Fred Meyer Interested donors may sign up for the program by linking their FM Rewards Card to North Thurston Education Foundation.

Donors can search by our name or our non-profit number 90809 at https://www.fredmeyer.com/topic/community-rewards-4. A percentage of eligible purchases will be donated to NTEF. Customers still earn the usual reward points and rebates.

Board Member Spotlight:

 

DeAndra Williams, CSP
Business Developer, American Workforce Group, Inc. 

1. How did you first get involved with North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF)?
 I had been talking to Blake [NTEF Board President] about ways that both my company and I could get more involved in the community and he told me about NTEF and that he thought I should meet with Michael to learn more. I met with Michael and was eager to become involved. American Workforce Group was able to be involved immediately and we held a shoe and sock drive for the month of September.
 2. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
 I enjoy spending time with family and friends, camping, reading, wine tasting and the Seahawks! 

3. How do you believe the community can best support the work of NTEF?
Beyond getting involved, learning more about what the foundation does and the length it goes to for the kids. Education of the community will lead to more involvement. 

 

 

Thank you for your Generous Donation!

 

What is $150? To Ed Kunkel Jr., it was a compassionate, generous donation to the North Thurston Education Foundation. To a Mom who came up $150 short on her rent last month, it was the difference between overcoming a shortfall and being evicted. Ed will never meet this family, but they were so thankful that the Foundation–with Ed’s donation–completed their rent payment.

Donations often make significant differences in the lives of North Thurston Public Schools’ students and their families. Thank you, Ed, and our other generous donors. Because of You, another family was housed and saved from eviction.

Learn more about how you can help below:

Learn More

 

Lacey Firefighters Charity

Each year Lacey Firefighters Charity in partnership with North Thurston Public Schools, brings the magic of Christmas to 50 families who don’t have financial means to purchase holiday gifts.

Here are THREE ways to become an Elf to make Christmas count for these families:

1. Pick up a tag from the Giving Trees at any of our Lacey Fire Stations, with gift request for an adopted family: Each Tag has a generic description of an item to purchase for child or family. Please take what you can to help. (Gift value $35)

2. Make a cash donation at our Station Headquarters (M-F 8-5): Recommended donation of $35, but any amount is helpful.

3. Shop the gift registry at Target:

Please return the gifts UN-wrapped with tags attached and placed under the trees by Friday 12/14 5pm or deliver them to the ST-31 Tree: 1231 Franz St SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Phone: (360) 491-2410
 
THE EVENT ITSELF: On Sunday, Dec 16, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the families will be welcomed by Lacey Fire Elves, have treats, make crafts, listen to music, and enjoy a photo and gifts from Santa.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:
Donate Wrapping paper or NEW with TAGS small/medium stuffed animals.

Music For All

Are you or someone you know eligible for free and reduced-priced meals, through the USDA School Meals Programs? If so, the Olympia Symphony Orchestra would like to offer FREE CONCERT TICKETS for all members of your household through their “Music for All” program. Contact their office by phone, email, or social media message. No application or personal information is required.

(Sponsored by Columbia Bank)

[email protected]
360-753-0074

Board Member Spotlight: Beth Brown, CPA, MAcc at Northwest Accounting & Consulting LLC

1. How did you first get involved in NTEF?
I met Mike Jones, (NTEF’s Executive Director) at an event where I learned they needed some help with their QuickBooks. I fell in love with NTEF’s mission immediately and was compelled to volunteer my CPA services so Mike could focus on what really mattered. I have been working with Mike for over a year now and became a board member a few months after that. I love this organization and the hope it gives our community.
 2. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I love to mountain bike, spend time with my family and take my cat on long walks.
3. How do you believe the community can best support the work of NTEF?

The best way our community can support the work of the NTEF is through continued donations. Without that we simply cannot do what is needed to support our community. It’s For The Kids! 

Donation Used to Purchase Socks and Clothing for Students in Need

North Thurston Education Foundation recently received a generous and anonymous $1,000 donation to fund the purchase of socks and clothing for students in need at North Thurston Public Schools. We worked with Brenda McAferty, the McKinney Vento Homeless/Foster Care Liaison at North Thurston Public Schools to make a shopping list, and then our very own Executive Director, Michael Jones went on a shopping spree to purchase the requested items. Clean & new socks, t-shirts, and sweatshirts will make a real difference in the lives of kids.

If you are interested in helping buy these items for our kids, please donate here:
https://ntef.org/how-you-can-help/
If you would like to purchase socks or warm coats for North Thurston Public School students, please email Brenda at [email protected]