In addition to Scholarships and Learning Improvement Grants, our Foundation also offers Student Assistance Grants to help students overcome obstacles to their success in school.  Annual allocations are provided to every school in the district, and to a district-at-large fund, to be used for personal and school needs. The Partnership seeks donations, bequests, or endowments to provide financial assistance to students and their families in North Thurston Public Schools.

Recently, we assisted a family who has three diabetic students. The family lives at the poverty level and have been dealing with the stress of an impending divorce. The North Thurston Education Foundation was able to help them with the registration fee ($50 for each child) to attend a weeklong diabetic camp.

“We were grateful to learn that the foundation would support us in sending these 3 students to camp if we were unable to secure scholarships.  It was a relief to not feel the pressure of telling the family ”no” if the scholarship fell through. As it turned out the scholarship came through and the foundation paid for the registration fees. A  win-win for all of us!” said Debbie LaFever, School Counselor at Lacey Elementary School.

Camp Leo holds summer sessions at Black Diamond Camp at Rainier to help kids and young adults overcome the challenges of living with diabetes.  Camp Leo offers:

• A safe camp environment
• Medically sound healthcare and diabetes management  techniques and practices to all individuals at camp
• Skills necessary to achieve good diabetes management
• An opportunity to people with diabetes to feel like the norm rather than the exception
• A collaborative, positive and unique experience for all campers and staff
• Opportunities to all participants to develop new skills, improve leadership, build self-esteem, and contribute in a meaningful way to serving their community
• Access to Camp Leo programs to any family affected by diabetes, regardless of their financial situation

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) is pleased to introduce the new officers of the 2018 Board of Trustees:

Blake Knoblauch, President

Cathy Callahan, Vice President for Disbursements and Awards

Dorn Barr, Vice President for Resource Development

Bill Williams, Vice President for Resource Management

Ron Sisson, Erik Naslund

Other board members include Dorene Berg, Beth Brown, Paula Coviello, Cameron Daniels, Maria Dunn, Carletta Garraway, Sarah Hendry, Janey Howell, Dr. Bruce Higdon, Tonni Johnston, Brenda McAferty, Erik Naslund, Beth Utto-Galarneau and Erica VanLierop.

Incoming NTEF Board President, Blake Knoblauch, works for The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and brings strong leadership skills with an emphasis on continuity and community involvement. Prior to joining NTEF, Knoblauch served on the executive board of Olympia Master Builders, including time as Vice President and Treasurer. Additionally, he spent four years as a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s board, and has been an active member of The Hawks Prairie Rotary Club for over twelve years.

Knoblauch said, “North Thurston Education Foundation enriches and cultivates the youth of the community, creating long-term growth and success opportunities. I’m excited for this opportunity to serve and feel privileged to utilize my skills and experience to help the North Thurston Education Foundation achieve our goals.”

A special thanks to Carletta Garraway, NTEF’s outgoing board president, who served as president for 7 years.

WHAT — North Thurston Education Foundation New Board of Trustees installed
WHEN — 2018 – 2019
FOR MORE INFO — Contact Michael Jones at (360) 790-6548 or [email protected]
ABOUT: The North Thurston Education Foundation, Partners for Kids, is an independent, non-profit partnership of community members and North Thurston Public Schools (IRS EIN 91-1433235).  Our organization was incorporated in 1989. We are committed to enhancing educational opportunities for students and schools. We help students overcome obstacles to success in school.