By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Whether it’s a donation of $4.89 or $48.90, members of USD 489’s Foundation for Educational Excellence are spreading the word about how Project 489 can help low-income students throughout the district.

Foundation President Roger Bixenman approached USD 489 Board of Education members at Monday’s school board meeting to provide an update on the foundation — and let members know the Project 489 fundraiser is underway.

Bixenman said the nonprofit relies on donations from the public, which help low-income students pay for such necessities as glasses, clothes, school lunches, milk and even college scholarships.

Board member Sandra Bainter also addressed the board and talked about her hopes for the foundation’s future.

“I think it would be great to have a scholarship line for the children at a much younger age that just need (the extra funds) to survive at school equally to their peers,” she said. “And I feel like if we can zero in on those needs, we are building a foundation in those children that will someday too allow them to apply for scholarship to go college.”

Bainter said the foundation also would like to start providing classroom supplies for teachers.

Donations can be made online and put into the general fund or donors can choose to sponsor a specific child, activity or need.

For more information on the foundation and Project 489, click HERE.