Couple makes challenge grant to schools

Wally and Priscilla Stevenson have been active in the community since 1946 and Wally Stevenson served as Chairman of the White Salmon School Board in the 1960s.

"We believe in our public schools and the fine job that our local teachers are doing, but we understand that school funding is limited for an area the size of White Salmon. Priscilla and I see this new Education Foundation as an excellent way to support our schools and help to make them the best they can possibly be for everyone in our community," said Wally Stevenson

The foundation has also received substantial donations from Rees and Eloise Stevenson, Mark Dinnerstein and Wendy Soderstrom and other members of the community.

These additional gifts will be considered as the first matching contributions toward the challenge offered by Wally and Priscilla Stevenson.

"We are very grateful for these first donations," said Ronda Crumpacker, president of The White Salmon Education Foundation. "The foundation is off to a strong start and the schools will see the benefits as early as next winter. The amount of support we've seen this early on is impressive. Big or small, every donation helps make a difference and is truly appreciated."

The Foundation's mission is to provide a stable long-term source of supplemental income to the White Salmon Valley School District. By consistently investing in the entire district, rather than a single school or program, the Foundation strives to reach every child enrolled in every school in the White Salmon District.

The Foundation intends to award grants that will provide for curriculum enhancement, professional development and academic after school programs.

Thanks to the generosity of current donors, the Foundation's ability to provide funding is now a reality and the application process will open this fall.

It is the Foundation's policy that at least 25 percent of all contributions go to an endowment fund where growth of invested principal will help sustain Foundation programs. By investing the principal of the endowment fund the Foundation builds a permanent base of financial support that will help White Salmon students and educators for many years to come.

Dale Connell, Vice President of the White Salmon Riverview Community Bank is a founding board member, and believes that "investing in education means a better future for all. Pooling community resources to provide local support for public education is a smart move, and a smarter investment. With school districts facing tough budget cuts and reduced student enrollment the timing for this Foundation could not be better. What better investment can a community make than to combine resources to better public education."

Persons wishing to make a donation can contact the Foundation at 493-1175 or by email at info@wsvef.org