Kids & Family

Livermore Valley Education Foundation Awards $7,000 to Middle School Sports Programs

Barons Jeweler of Dublin contributed over $4,000 to the donation.

Information from the Livermore Valley Education Foundation—

Livermore middle school students will enjoy a full slate of competitive sports, thanks in part to the The Livermore Valley Education Foundation (LVEF), which has  awarded $7,000 to middle school sports programs in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. The money will help cover the cost of boys' and girls' fall and winter sports teams.

Barons Jeweler contributed over $4,000 of the funding, even though the business is located outside the Livermore school district.

"The Tri-Valley is one big community and many of our clients are from Livermore," said Barons President Ronnie Heller. "We are happy to be able to give back to help the schools and the kids in this area. Barons is in Hacienda Crossings in Dublin and that’s just a stop or two down the freeway from Livermore."

The middle schools approached LVEF after having exhausted their other funding sources. "We are delighted to be able to lend a hand during these tough economic times," said Vicki Schellenberger, LVEF President. "Academics are the District's top priority, but we feel it is vital to keep sports programs alive to help give our kids a complete, well-rounded school experience."

"Without this funding from LVEF, we would need to cancel or at least substantially cut back some of our programs," said Janet Loughran-Smith, interim principal at Junction Avenue school. "Sports are really important to our kids and their families, and we are deeply grateful that LVEF has our back".

In January 2014 the LVEF Board will work with school administrators to determine if additional funding will be needed to support athletics through the end of the school year.

"LVEF has given the District tremendous support over the years", according to Kelly Bowers, Superintendent of Livermore schools. "If not for LVEF, we would have had a much more difficult time getting through the budget crises that we have had to face on a regular basis."

Since being founded in 1991, LVEF has raised over $3.8 million through individual and corporate donations. As LVEF is staffed entirely by volunteers and operates with minimal overhead, over 98% of money raised by LVEF directly benefits Livermore school programs. LVEF supports a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular programs, reflecting the Foundation's mission to promote Straight A's in Academics, Arts, and Athletics.

LVEF is now accepting applications for Board members. To apply for a Board position or to join LVEF as a volunteer, visit http://livermorevalleyedfound.wordpress.com/ or email livermorevalleyedfound@gmail.com. 


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