By: Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
The Alpine Education Foundation raised thousands of dollars for technology fort Alpine schools during the organization’s May 6 “Spring Gala!”
AEF is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the best technology and learning programs for local students. To help meet this year’s goal of raising $20,000, the AEF fundraiser had live and silent auctions, drawings and a pledge signup.
By: Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
The Alpine Education Foundation raised thousands of dollars for technology fort Alpine schools during the organization’s May 6 “Spring Gala!”
AEF is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the best technology and learning programs for local students. To help meet this year’s goal of raising $20,000, the AEF fundraiser had live and silent auctions, drawings and a pledge signup.
Counting the preliminary Spring Gala proceeds and funds raised earlier, the foundation appears to have achieved more than $12,000 so far toward its goal, said AEF Director George Barnett.
“Since the Alpine Education Foundation started they have donated nearly $200,000 to Alpine schools,” AEF Director Walt van der Westhuizen told the crowd in the Viejas Grand Ballroom.
As emcee, Barnett thanked everyone who has supported AEF —-the entire foundation board; Alpine Union School District Superintendent Rich Newman; the district’s parents, teachers and staff; the Back Country Land Trust, the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, area firefighters and others.
Outgoing AEF board member Jennifer Doucet, who has been director of fund raising, was honored for her “talented and enthusiastic” work. The foundation also honored its President, Chris Newcomb, who came up with the idea of an education foundation.
“We have the best schools, I think, in the county if not the state,” Newcomb told the audience as he thanked Viejas and others for their help.
Sponsored by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the elegant gala auctioned off such items as a house exterior painting, a season Del Mar horse racing pass, being Alpine school district superintendent for a day, being a radio host and a toy electric Ford Mustang!
Museum passes, gift cards, meals and one free spray tan were among drawing prizes.
In an interview, Barnett said that with changes in the new AEF board, a new school district superintendent and a new strategy to help “make the Alpine school district the destination school district of East County” there’s excitement at the foundation.
“The whole idea is to move us all into the digital age and free up the students to learn and the teachers to help students who need more attention,” Barnett said.
