SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS: Pictured above, left to right, San Marino Schools Foundation Events Chair Ellen Tsang, Vice President of Fundraising Jennifer Chuang, Chinese Club Director Maggie Lee, SMSF President John Simpson, Chinese Club President Dr. Hai-Sou Chen, Chinese Club Director John Chou, Chinese Club Treasurer Elaine Hon, SMSF Vice President of Fundraising Michele Canon and SMSF Executive Director Christopher Kealey. The Chinese Club made a $20,000 donation. Rafael Najarian Photo
San Marino Schools Foundation hosted its annual Donor Recognition Party this past weekend at the San Marino home of Cindy and Cole Harris.
More than 300 guests attended the May 7 event that recognized donors of $2,000 or more to the Schools Foundation.
“As we all know, the excellence in education we expect for our children here in San Marino is not free due to limited per pupil funding from the state,” Schools Foundation President John Simpson said. “Donations to the Schools Foundation fund the equivalent of 30 teaching positions across all four campuses. All donations to the foundation make a difference, but we really could not achieve our goals without the significant generosity of the donors we recognize at our annual party who choose to give $2,000 or more to ensure the district has the required resources. All of our students benefit through reduced class sizes and enhanced curriculum, and we are extremely grateful for our donors.”
The Chinese Club of San Marino presented the Schools Foundation with a $20,000 donation.
“We are very fortunate, to have San Marino Schools Foundation, to be the backbone organization, to facilitate the fundraising for our schools, to close the gap between the state funding and the financial support to the school operation, for over 35 years,” Chinese Club President Dr. Hai-Sou Chen said. “Thank you to San Marino Schools Foundation. Tonight, on behalf of the Chinese Club of San Marino, we are continuing to make the $20,000 annual donation to thank you for the outstanding job that has been done by all of the trustees and the staff.”
Schools Foundation Event and Recognition Chair Ellen Tsang said she appreciated the partnership between the schools and the community.
“Excellent schools are a defining element of the San Marino community,” she said. “Looking across the people enjoying the evening, it was just great to have parents with children in the district, community members, corporate donors, school board members and district leadership personnel here celebrating the achievements of the district and the generosity of our donors.”
East-West Bank was the premiere event underwriting sponsor and other businesses also contributed to the event.
San Marino Schools Foundation’s Annual Campaign in underway and yard signs will be coming soon. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so by calling Christopher Kealey at the Schools Foundation office at 626-299-7014 or visit its website at www.SMSF.org.
