https://outlooknewspapers.smugmug.com/San-Marino/Community/Schools-Foundation-Hosts-Donor-Recognition-Party/i-dHfR9jG/A
The San Marino Schools Foundation held its annual Donor Recognition Party Saturday evening at the home of Amy and Jules Buenabenta to celebrate those families and individuals who have donated at least $2,500 to the Foundation.
Sponsors included East-West Bank, Wells Fargo, Wine Exchange and San Marino Seafood, as well as April Jang, Alice Song and Scott Ulrich, and all parents with children currently attending San Marino schools. The Chinese Club of San Marino also continued its annual tradition of supporting San Marino schools by presenting a check for $20,000 to the Foundation at the party.
The event was also an opportunity to recognize eight families who have now each made lifetime contributions of more than $40,000 to date: Michele and Brett Canon, Jennifer and James Chang, Linda and Joshua Chen, Daphne Stewart and Matthew Hart, Susan Liu and Webster Wong, Nicole and Curt McClam, Carla and Eduardo Repetto, and Winnie Zhang and Qing Rong.
According to Foundation President John Simpson, “The power of donor leadership, of leading by example, cannot be overstated. It was really terrific to be able to publicly recognize and thank these eight families at the party for reaching such a significant milestone.”
Simpson continued, “Due to the limited per pupil funding from the state that San Marino receives, the excellent education we expect for our children here in San Marino is not free. Contributions to the Foundation help directly fund teaching positions across all four campuses, therefore helping maintain small class sizes, and also help fund music, arts, coding, and other critical programs that benefit students at all four campuses as well. All donations to the foundation make a difference, but we really could not achieve our goals without the significant generosity of the donors who give $2,500 or more to ensure the district has the resources it needs.”
Foundation Event and Recognition chair Ellen Tsang likewise emphasized what the Donor Recognition Party is all about: “Everyone at this year’s party has made a significant investment in some way — through their time, money, or other resources — to make sure that the students, teachers and staff in our San Marino Schools can continue to thrive and excel in an ever more competitive academic landscape.”
With the end of the school year fast approaching, the Foundation hopes to conclude its Annual Campaign on a high note. Yard signs recognizing donors can now be seen throughout San Marino. There is still time to contribute if you have not already done so. Contact Chris Kealey or Sara Snider at the Foundation office (626-299-7014) or visit the Foundation’s website at SMSF.org to make an online donation, and to learn more about the foundation.
