MEF to begin major fundraiser for track

MEEKER I The Meeker Education Foundation will launch its first major fund drive in the coming weeks, offering ways for the public to support one or both of its important components.
Contributions to the appeal will build the MEF Endowment and/or contribute to the 2013-2014 Annual Fund project of replacing the school district’s track at Meeker High School.
The Meeker Education Foundation, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, was formed because Colorado’s school funding is inadequate and Meeker’s RE-1 School District has suffered the consequences.
The school district has been forced to increase class size, freeze staff salaries and generally reduce its offerings to students due to diminished resources. Unless supplemented, such limitations to our students’ education will increase. The foundation is committed to serving this vital need.
The mission of the Meeker Education Foundation is to support and enhance educational opportunities for the Meeker School District by providing independent resources.
Endowment earnings will underwrite student and staff grant applications for academic/activity enrichment opportunities, professional development venues, which the school district is unable to fund, and, ultimately, scholarships for staff members’ continuing education.
One may contribute to the Foundation’s Endowment Fund in a variety of ways: unrestricted donations; donations for specific spheres of interest; memorial funds; and a variety of giving opportunities through estate planning. All these opportunities are explained on the Foundation’s website meekereducationfoundation.org.
The Annual Fund will complete a major project for the district each year, and replacing the track has been chosen for 2013-2014. Community partnerships, anticipated grant revenues and private donations will complete this ambitious $1M undertaking.
Future Annual Fund endeavors include expanding technology in the district and start-up funds for critical programs the district has not been able to afford or has had to discontinue.
An “Artist-in-Residence Progr-am” in the elementary and middle schools is high on the list.
The foundation board stressed that no contribution is too small.