By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Former Batavia Local School District Board of Education member Barbara Bruner announced plans for a foundation that will help provide resources to children in the district during the April 21 board meeting.
Bruner is working to help organize the Batavia Local Schools Foundation that will be used to fund enrichment for children in the district including trips, activities, materials, and other requests.
“We may be able to help when teachers have requests,” Bruner said. “And be able to help you go to Washington, or Indy, or have COSI come to the school.”
She said it will be different from the existing alumni association in that the foundation will focus on providing funds for children in school, while the alumni association has a different focus.
“The alumni association does a lot with scholarships,” Bruner said.
Bruner said their first step with the foundation is to begin fundraising efforts.
“Some foundations hand out thousands of dollars, and that’s our goal,” Bruner said.
Bruner said the organization has been set up and they are working to get their website and Facebook page up and running.
She said they are also working to set up the committee and procedures for the foundation.
“We’re looking forward to our first fundraiser,” Bruner said.
Bruner said they are planning to host a 5K on Labor Day weekend this year to raise money for the foundation.
She said they will also be active and visible at district events.
“Our plan is to be at every school activity we possibly can,” Bruner said.
Bruner thanked other individuals involved in getting the foundation started, including Superintendent Jill Grubb.
Board members thanked Bruner for getting the foundation started.
“Thank you, it is great,” board member Mark Ewing said about the foundation.
Board member Michael Enriquez the district received an anonymous Educational Service Center donation and decided to use the funds to start the foundation.
“We thought it would be appropriate to go forward with creating the foundation,” Enriquez said about the funds.