Laurelhurst Elementary School Accepting Donations For Annual PTA Auction Fundraiser

The Laurelhurst PTA Auction Committee has started its donation drive for the 2012 PTA Auction and auction items are currently being collected and procured.

"We'd love to invite people to donate if they own local businesses, or pass along any donation ideas," one of the Committee members told us. Adding "We are successful because local businesses and alumni and friends of the school donate, as well as our own families."

The money raised by the PTA through the donations is used to pay for services and programs that are no longer paid for by the State or the District, such as art programs, technology for the classrooms, reading tutors, inspiring field trips, general music program, reading tutors, math tutors, science enrichment and advanced learning enrichment, as well as a full-time librarian. 

The Committee told us that the auction would not be possible without the generous donations and support of local businesses, current students families, alumni and friends of Laurelhurst. 

"We are very lucky to receive lots of donations and every dollar is a gift that we are thankful to get," a Committee member told us. 

Some of the cool items received in past years was wine, interesting travel to places such as Hawaii, nights out a local restaurants, experiences like kayaking, tandam bike rentals, afternoon lunch on a boat tied to the log boom during Sea Fair, parties at local business for groups of people, creating crafts (fairy houses) or getting spa services (pedicures, color parties, and facials). 

Last year there was a package from several Laurelhurst merchants for the holidays which included a Douglas Fir Christmas Tree, delivery and set up of the tree, holiday lights for the outside of a home custom fitted and hung, and holiday cards. 

Bidding will start online March 5 through March 19 with the Auction event taking place at The Mountaineer's Club on March 23.  Bidding is open to all friends, neighbors and family and one-hundred percent of auction proceeds are reinvested into Laurelhurst Elementary School. 

Anyone can donate here  or by going to the school website.  The Laurelhurst PTA is a 501(c)3 organization.  

For donation ideas or questions, contact Elizabeth at 799-2122 or Christy at 954-9135.  

Laurelhurst Elementary Fall Grounds Clean-Up On Saturday

We receive this information from Lansing and Wendy,  PTA Building and Grounds Co-Chairs, at the school:

Laurelhurst Elementary School is holding its’ Fall clean-up work party this Saturday, fom 8am-Noon.

We hope all our neighbors will join in. Kid’s are welcome.

Bring your favorite tool (with your name on it) and gloves.

Coffee, juice and donuts provided.

Husky fans have plenty of time before kick-off to chip in a few hours to make our neighborhood look great!

North Playground Renovation Ice-Cream Fundraiser Tomorrow Afternoon At Laurelhurst Elementary After School

Tomorrow afternoon Paris, the ice-cream man, will be at Laurelhurst Elementary School for a fundraiser to support the upcoming north playground upgrades.

The community is invited to enjoy a delicious ice-cream and in doing so help contribute to much needed improvements to the playground.

Ice-creams will be $3 each and will be available immediately after school ends, around 2:30pm.

The south playground renovation was completed 2 years ago and has been enjoyed not only by students, but also by the community with its new equipment and re-surfacing.

Fundraising for the north playground has been ongoing for several years, with previous ice-cream fundraisers, a golf tournament last fall and the year before, both at the Sand Point Country Club, and a gear sale held last spring.

The North Playground Committee, has applied for a $20,000 Small and Simple Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant and has also submitted a design for aproval.

Members of the playground committee told us that they are awaiting word from the city regarding the grant. And added "we are excited to begin the work on an updated community space."

Several neighborhood groups submitted letters in support of the project and approval of the grant to the City including the Laurelhurst Community Club who said:

LCC urges you to approve the Neighborhood Matching Fund grant application for the much needed improvements to the northern playground.  The worn out, dilapidated area will be transformed into an inviting, colorful setting that will enhance the school’s outdoor programming and promote physical activity for all to enjoy during and after school hours.  The worn out, dilapidated area will be transformed into an inviting, colorful setting that will enhance the school’s outdoor programming and promote physical activity for all to enjoy during and after school hours. 
 
Seattle Children's Hospital also wrote to the city in support of the Neighborhood matching funds application request for funds project saying:
 
Seattle Children's has long enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the Laurelhurst Elementary School. The propose project is a fine example of community collaboraton and we are honored to add our support and urge you to approve the grant application.
 
Friends of Laurelhurst Elementay Foundation stated in part :
 
As a group dedicated to our community, our public facilities, our children and creating multi-generational services and spaces, we strongly support the benefits that a new improved play space will have on the school and community.  Please partner with our Schools Foundation and our loyal parents who are already paying for the majority of the upgrades, to finish this long, overdue project.
 
This year's annual golf tourney fundraiser  for the playground, including dinner, will be on October 1st at the  Broadmoor Golf Club, a new venue for the annual event, and "one that most haven’t had a chance to play," Kevin, co-chair of the event told us.
 
He adds "As summer break sneaks up on us, please take time to register for the 5th Annual Playground Renovation Golf Tournament.  Take time away to enjoy a wonderful course, wonderful people and help raise the final funds to finish the North playground.
 
Some neighborhood sponsors that have already signed up include the Laurel Group, Varlamos Pizzaria, Windermere Real Estate, as well as many others.  
 
For more information about the event, go here or contact Kevin Engman at kengman85@hotmail.com or Rick Myers at rick@myerspartners.com.

Friends Of Laurelhurst Elementary School Foundation's Big Night Out Saturday at JM Wine Cellars

The Friends of Laurelhurst Elementary School Foundation (FOLF), a nonprofit organization, is having their Annual Five for Five Celebration/ Dinner and Wine Tasting on Saturday at JM Winery in Woodinville. The Party Bus will once again pick up the party goers at the school for this fun evening out.

The owners of JM Winery, John and Peggy Bigelow, are parents of children who are Laurelhurst Elementary Alumni. 

Mary, 545 Co-Chair, told us that once again this year JM Winery, is generously donating the use of their winery as well as a portion of all the wine sales on Saturday evening back to the Friends of the Laurelhurst School Foundation.

Last year's event was fun not only fun, but successful in supporting the Foundation.

The primary vehicle for fundraising for the Foundation is through the Five for Five campaign, which is comprised of a group of Laurelhurst parents and grandparents who commit to donating $500 for a total of 5 years. All Five for Five participants are invited to this annual event to celebrate their commitment.

More about the Foundation from their website:

The Friends of Laurelhurst School Foundation was formed over 10 years ago by a group of parents, alumni and neighbors of Laurelhurst Elementary, who were dedicated to support our school by helping to fund an endowment that enriches the educational experience for each Laurelhurst Student. The foundation not only promotes a positive image of the public schools, but it also raises funds to help Laurelhurst Elementary Students of today and future generations.

We are a group of parents, alumni and neighbors dedicated to supporting our school by helping to fund an endowment that enrich the educational experience for each Laurelhurst Student. Our goal is for the endowment to reach an initial threshold amount of $1,000,000. Currently, we are over 1/2 of the way to our goal and have already contributed more than $120,000 to our school.

For questions about the Foundation contact Foundation President, Rick Meyers, at rick@myerspartners.com.

To become part of the Friends of Laurelhurst School Foundation or be a 545 Member go here.  You can also drop off your check (payable to FOLF), along with your email address to the school. Any donation amount, which is tax deductible, is graciously welcomed.