Six hundred, fourty-three dollars, 2,448 quarters, 4,532 dimes, 4,337 nickels and 10,013 pennies and one big matching fund check adds up to $4005.18 to support students who are homeless in the Northshore School District.
“It’s amazing how pocket change can add up and make a big difference in the lives of students who really need the support,”said Davina Williams Duerr, board member for the Northshore Schools Foundation and co-founder of the Milk Money Campaign.
Now in its third year, this campaign collects change throughout the area to fund the needs of Northshore School District McKinneyVento students and the Foundation’s Advanced and Disadvantaged Learners Initiative. Nearly 1 percent of the students in the Northshore School District are homeless. These important funds help to buy them school clothes, schools supplies and books, yearbooks, school pictures and pay test fees as well as other school related costs.
This May more than 80 businesses hosted milk bottles as a part of the Northshore Schools Foundation Milk Money Campaign.
“It’s really rewarding when we go to collect a bottle and the employees are so proud to share with us how much they have raised.
It really is a testament to how much our community cares for our students,” said Duerr.
When some of these businesses were asked what motivated them, Karin Poage of the Yakima Fruit Market said, “Watching customers drop money into the milk jugs on the checkout counter at the market is a great way to visualize the shared values of our very caring community. We’re proud to partner with Northshore Schools!”
Rahil Karmali of Extreme Pita told us that the employees all got together and decided to donate half of all their tips for the month of May to the Milk Money bottle. He explained, “In our efforts to inspire healthier living and be actively involved in our local community, I feel the best way to start is with our local schools.”
For those special partners who went above and beyond the Northshore Schools Foundation will be recognizing the following businesses for their outstanding efforts in support of Northshore students and Milk Money.
The “Cream of the Crop” awards go to:
• Woodinville Banner Bank, Sparta’s Pizza and Pho Hoa for keeping the bottles up all year round
• Extreme Pita and Woodinville Thai for designating a portion of staff tips to the cause
• The Foundation House, The Ranch and Yakima Fruit Market for enthusiastic participation
• TJMaxx for holding an the employee bake sale and potluck to support the cause
Half of all the money raised comes by way of matching funds up to $3000 from The Northlake Windermere Office.
“The Milk Money program is an excellent opportunity for the community to help support students in the Northshore School District. The Windermere Foundation is proud to be able to match funds again this year for this great cause,” said Marella Alejandrino of Windermere.
Other stellar support came from Windermere agent Linnea Jones who personally placed 18 bottles in local businesses. The Windermere Foundation funds dozens of local charities focused around homelessness.
With all the wonderful successes of this year, we are currently $994.82 short of maximizing the matching money that Windermere has made available. Additional community support is always appreciated to help us reach our goal.
Visit www.NorthshoreSchoolsFoundation.org for more information and a complete list of participating businesses.
