"Everyone that I have talked to has been so positive. I think what people really see is that everyone wins," said Cindy
McDonald, a board member and the district's director of elementary education. "People know this is for the right reasons.
It really speaks so highly for the Cedar Valley that we have so many generous people here."
For now, the foundation
is focusing its efforts on student scholarships, but as the donations roll in the money also will become available in the
form of grants for teachers and district staff. Winter said students could begin receiving scholarships from the foundation
as early as this spring.
"We will do what we can with what we have," he said.
Board members are doing what they
can to plant seeds around the community, but are hoping to secure even more support during a kickoff event Oct. 29. Board
member Marlene Behn said the group will reconvene after that event to determine the best way to move forward. The move likely
will include more one-on-one chats with potential donors and more public events. While large gifts are appreciated, Winter
said no gift should be considered too small.
"For us, it's about upholding the tradition of excellence. That has been
a longtime motto for the Cedar Falls schools and having been a part of that, I feel a real responsibility to that motto,"
Winter said.
In the future, Winter hopes the foundation can expand to include a paid director's position, but for now,
he said, all money is being funneled directly into the giving pool. At that point the board also could put some of its focus
on developing comprehensive alumni lists that would serve as a guidebook of potential donors and make planning class reunions
a little easier for those who chose to take them on.
Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1570 or
emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.
{M3Go & Do
What: Cedar Falls Community Schools Foundation kick off
When: Oct. 29, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where:
Park Place Events Centre
Cost: Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, cash bar
Ways to give
--- Donate cash, securities,
real estate, life insurance or personal property to the Cedar Falls Community Schools Foundation, 1002 W. First St., Cedar
Falls 50613.
--- Build an endowment by including the foundation in your estate plans.
--- Pledge money over
an extended period of time, up to five years.
--- Make a donation in honor or memory of someone.
