Hays USD 489 foundation makes plans for auction, shares recent projects

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence is planning its first fundraising auction next fall.

Foundation Vice President Curtis Brown discussed the auction plus other recent projects and purchases the foundation has funded at the school board meeting Monday.

The foundation hopes its inaugural auction can fund a major project that will benefit students and staff. The foundation is taking suggestions for what type of purchase or project that could benefit from the auction.

Alumni, business owners, parents and community members interested in donating items for the auction can call 785-623-2400 and ask to speak with a foundation board member. It is also looking for volunteers to work on planning the auction.

The mission of the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence is to support Hays public schools in their work to maintain a challenging and inspiring educational atmosphere, allowing all students to discover their full potential for success.

Volunteers assemble crisis bags for the Hays classrooms.

The foundation in partnership with Sunflower Bank recently helped provide crisis kits for every classroom in the Hays school district.

Other recent foundation projects have included:

• Installation of security check-in software through a grant written to the Heartland Community Foundation

• Funding of special milk for elementary students

• Funding of after-school care for elementary students

• Paying for lunch for Big Brothers and Big Sisters with 489 students

• Purchasing instruments for students

The foundation recently purchased 12 Sphero robots to be used for programming, coding, and drawing in classrooms.

• Purchasing 12 Sphero robots to be used for programming, coding and drawing in classrooms

• Installation of a washer and dryer at Wilson Elementary School through a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation

If you are a Dillons or Amazon customer, you can use programs through those companies to donate to the foundation.

If you are currently a Dillons customer, visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards and type in 17110 as the NPO or search USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence.

If you currently shop online at amazon.com, a portion of your purchases can also benefit the foundation. Visit smile.amazon.com and select the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excel as your beneficiary of choice.

You can also make an online donation directly through the USD 489 website using a debit or credit card. Click here.