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Lakewood Education Foundation Event Raises $42,000

Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers (left) with some of the recipients of the funds from the Lakewood Education Foundation.

Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers (left) with some of the recipients of the funds from the Lakewood Education Foundation.

 

By Rico Dizon

The Lakewood Education Foundation raised a record $42,243 at its 12th anniversary celebration that took place at Monte Verde Park this past month.

The funds, which came from 106 grants, were distributed to Lakewood teachers’ classroom improvements and other educational enhancement programs.

Recipients from 21 Lakewood schools included those in ABC, Bellflower and Long Beach Unified School Districts along with St. Pancratius and Bethany Lutheran Schools.

“This was the year of the tablet,” said LEF co-founder Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers. “Lots of teachers requested learning enrichment activities and remote control of educational power point presentations, while walking around their classrooms to see how individual students are doing.”

LEF co-founder and City Council Member Steve Croft added, “I believe that with the implementation of the Common Core at most of our high schools, this year’s grants mean even more to teachers. I know they really appreciate the additional resources that LEF has been able to add to classroom experience. Thanks for the generosity of the community.”

Grants awarded to the anniversary event also covered science and laboratory equipment such as microscopes, books of all kinds, art and physical education supplies, a new theatre stage for Mayfair Middle School and educational field trips. One such field trip was the Lakewood HS ROTC student’s Navy damage control training in San Diego.

“We are grateful for everyone who supported LEF. Whether it’s visiting firework booths, playing in our golf tournament or simply dropping by with a check through the year, your support is helpful. We are a 100% volunteer organization and we put every possible dollar raised directly into support of education in Lakewood,” said Rogers.

LEF added a new twist to its fundraising this year when the mayor, during the annual LEF charity golf tourney, offered to get ‘ice bucketed’ for as long as people kept making contributions to the foundation. With Croft acting as auctioneer, Rogers was ‘bucketed’ five times and raised $1,280.

Since it started in 2003, LEF has awarded more than 810 grants totaling over $316, 000 to Lakewood school teachers to directly improve the education of Lakewood students.

Anyone interested in donating directly to the Lakewood Educational Fund is encouraged to call 562-496-3559 or visit www.lakewoodeducation.org.