Southwest Schools Foundation reaches Make 20 in 20 goal
The Southwest Public Schools Foundation has had a very eventful year, in spite of the Coronavirus limitations.
The biggest challenge was just that — a fundraising challenge by an anonymous donor. Beginning in 2018, this donor gave $10,000 in December with the promise of another $10,000 in 2019 — IF the Foundation could raise $10,000 in new donations to the group. We achieved our goal, so when this $10,000 was matched at the end of 2019, the donor then stated that they would match an additional $20,000 in 2020 if the Foundation could raise another $20,000 in new donations.
The Foundation accepted the challenge and the “20/20 Challenge Drive” was started. it kicked off the new year with lofty goals and many fundraising events in the works, only to be faced with the virus and related shutdowns in early spring. Although the group feared this obstacle would prevent them from attaining their goals, they are now at the end of December and the Foundation is proud to announce that, with the help of some very generous donors, they did meet the challenge.
It is with great excitement and community pride that they extend their sincerest appreciation to their supportive and anonymous donor who has enabled them to add $70,000 to their funds in the past two years.
The group is actively planning some new projects to utilize these funds in the coming months and years. Check their website at www.swpsfoundation.com or follow them on Facebook to stay informed of future plans. They are looking forward to enriching our staff and students with some great opportunities.
In addition to our general Foundation Scholarships, they have also received funds to add two new specialized scholarships this year. One is to go to a student looking to further their education at a trade school or community college, and the other is for a student going to a technical school. The Foundation is happy to award these two new scholarships to deserving students.
At our last meeting, the group was sad to get the news that Les Roggenkamp is resigning from our board. Les is a very long time member of the board. He has been an officer on the Southwest Foundation board all 15 years, and started on the Republican Valley Foundation board in 1995. That’s over 25 years of service. He was the go-to guy on Parliamentary Law; they’re are not sure what they will do when they need guidance on how to make an especially complicated motion. Les is the Ag instructor at Southwest schools as well as the Athletic Director. The Foundation will miss him, and want to thank him for his knowledge and years of service on the board.
Along with an anonymous gift of a truckload of grain and donations to our January soup supper, they would like to thank the following Southwest Supporters that helped us meet the 20/20 Challenge:
Indianola Economic Development Corporation
Linda Clark
Norm and Sharon Timmerman
State Bank of Bartley
Bartley Young Guns
Marshall and Janette Nelms
John O’Dea Family
Gail and Janet Rippe
Rick and Crinda McConville
Bill and Jennifer O’Dea
Rick and Ann Teel
Merritt and Susan Nelms
Gavin Harsh
Don and Angie Sughroue
Troy and Stacie Van Pelt
Kent and Lori Hoyt
Jason and Danette Kloepping
Saint Catherine’s Altar Society
Mary Foster
Darci and Josh Keenportz
Lennie and Joyce Deaver
Steven and Layne Salas
Tom and Nanci Stritt
Bill and Lynda Baumbach
Brent and Deb Hofman
Tim and Kathy Lord
Mark and Kim McConville
Gale Liess
Denise Young
Jim and Linda Fitzsimmons
Jeff and Kristin Stagemeyer
Arlyn and Penny Minary
Southwest Public Schools Foundation wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Here’s to 2021!
