The Clarion-Limestone Area Scholastic Foundation has been helping students and graduates in the school district for more than a decade.
Foundation president Bob Sawyer said some of the funded projects have included raised garden beds at the elementary school and helping the Academic Sports League travel to competitions.
The foundation also helped with the creation of a life skills class.
The foundation also purchased a new refrigerator and clothes dryer for the students.
“I was surprised that the students had to pay for AP tests,” said Sawyer. “These tests can be used to gain college credits. We found out that some kids couldn’t take the tests because of the cost. We thought we could help. So we paid for the tests for qualified students.”
The foundation also purchased equipment for the robotics program and 3-D printers.
“We made it plain to the administration that we are not funding any programs that have been deleted from the curriculum,” said Sawyer.
“In the past we have helped one of our staff who had cancer and a C-L alumni who had health issues,” said Sawyer. “Then it occurred to us that there are others in our school district who are having serious problems. We asked ourselves, how can we help?”
The answer was to make the foundation a benevolent foundation.
“We learned about a mother of three who has been battling cancer for three years,” he said. “You can just imagine what kind of medical bills she must have.”
There are several ways to contribute to the foundation including personal gifts of cash or securities, pledges paid on a schedule, memorials, honorariums, estate gifts, gifts of real estate, in-kind cash-equivalents and gifts of time and talent.
“We appreciate the local banks that have helped us in the past but we need to expand our base beyond a few banks if we are going to provide more help to people,” said Sawyer. “We are looking at adding three new board members.”
People interested in the foundation can contact the Clarion-Limestone School District or Sawyer at Clarion-Limestone Area Scholastic Foundation, 409 C-L School Road, Strattanville, 16285.