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Alpine Chamber Community Foundation

Alpine Chamber Community Foundation

New Foundation Offers Community Improvement Option

Residents in the Alpine and Mountain Empire now have tax-deductible opportunities to improve their communities through the new Alpine Chamber Community Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit California corporation. The nonprofit foundation was created last year through the programs and efforts of the Alpine & Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce.

Patricia Cannon, president of the foundation's board of directors said, "The nonprofit organization was started because the Chamber needed a way to serve this region with special programs that benefit residents' educational, health and cultural needs. "The foundation is in its infancy, so we're open and receptive to lots of input and community involvement," said Cannon, who is also the Chamber's president and chief executive officer. She noted that although the foundation began through the Chamber's labors, the new organization is completely independent with a separate office in Alpine at 2065 Arnold Way, Suite 103.

Other board members are Roger Garay of On Line Bookkeeping, treasurer; Greg Fox of Prudential Realty; Julie Ramirez, Alpine Country Day Schools; Bill Weaver, parent; Gary Stockwell, Washington Mutual Bank, Greg Ryan, superintendent of the Alpine Union School District, Virgina Fellows of Virginia Fellows, CPA, and Jim Whitener of Edward Jones Investments in La Mesa.

"The foundation is a spring board for the community," Fox said. He and Cannon said health fairs, art shows and school equipment are among the many projects that can be financed through the foundation to help
communities. The foundation has already presented a $10,500 check this year to the Alpine Union School District as part of a continuing Chamber effort that has raised more than $50,000 in recent years for school needs that arent budgeted.

"Teachers are always in need of materials to make learning more exciting and meaningful for our students", said Principal Keith Malcom of Shadow Hills Elementary School. Malcom said he and his staff are grateful for the Chambers fundraising program, because it has provided funds for Shadow Hills that have enabled the school to give our students a learning experience which extends beyond the required minimum.

The money for Alpine schools has been raised through the Honorary Mayor's Race and inaugural, the Luau at the Ranch and Great Duck Race, and the Education Essay Contest Winners Dinner. In similar ways, Cannon said, people, businesses or groups can make donations to the foundation for specific services or special events in communities, or to be used as needed. The foundation can help distribute funds, and even write grant applications to finance education, cultural or health objectives, she said. In addition, residents and businesses who donate $100 or more to the foundation will be known as "foundation boosters." The first 50 "charter boosters" will receive special recognition at this year's Luau at the Ranch and Great Duck Race on May 31 in Alpine.

Donations to the foundation also may be made through charitable gift funds that would be tax-deductible now and through bequests in wills. Call the Chamber at (619) 445-2722 to make donations or for more
information.

Alpine School Officials Appreciate Chamber, Foundation's Help

The equipment Boulder Oaks has purchased in the past few years with the money from the Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to produce multi-media presentations for our monthly Spirit Assemblies. The fifth grade students write, film and edit a video each month based on our character word of the month. These videos are the highlight of our monthly assemblies; they help remind the students of the importance of these character words, and all of the students love to watch the videos and see their photos on the big screen. Our assemblies are fun and engaging thanks to these presentations, which were made possible because of the generosity and support of the Chamber of Commerce. ---- Principal Deann Jeffreys, Boulder Oaks Elementary School

Creekside Early Learning Center has greatly benefited from donations from the Alpine Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the years, the contributions have assisted the site in supplementing their academic programs through purchases of math software, leveled reading books, and physical education equipment making Creekside a notable school that provides an excellent Kindergarten program. The Creekside staff, students, and PTA appreciate the ongoing support they receive from the Alpine Chamber of Commerce. ---- Principal Moana Miller, Creekside Early Learning Center

In August of 2001 we were very fortunate to be able to move into a brand new campus complete with new technology. Unfortunately modern technology is not designed to last as long as our incredible buildings. Because of help like that of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce we have been able to try to stay up on the technology. Through the years the Chamber Education Committee has funded most of our existing overhead projectors, many of our computer systems and upgrades as well as provided DVD players for the classrooms. All of these have had a direct impact on the education of Alpines kids. At any given moment during the instructional day, on our campus there is an item actively being used that was funded through the Alpine Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. ---- Principal Katy Woodward (not Pictured), Joan MacQueen Middle School

We have used our money from the Chamber more recently to purchase additional student books for the children to read. Because of our approach to break the students at each grade level into ability level reading classes we have found the students spend more time reading. Most of our books are fictional stories. We have spent thousands of dollars to build our student libraries in the classrooms and library. ---- Principal Rick Miller, Alpine Elementary School

Teachers are always in need of materials to make learning more exciting and meaningful for our students. Social Studies comes to life when teachers can show the students realia from various cultures, rather than just talking about them or showing pictures. Video and software materials are used to provide alternate methods of learning in many subject areas. Special class projects, like hatching chicken eggs, are possible only where there are funds available to supplement the curriculum in this way. The Chamber of Commerce Fundraising Program has provided such funds for the school which enable us to give our students a learning experience which extends beyond the required minimum. On behalf of the staff, I want to express my gratitude to the Chamber for making this possible. ---- Principal Keith Malcom, Shadow Hills Elementary School

For the past five years, the Alpine Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Education Committee have been active supporters of our local schools. The Chambers donations of about $10,000 every year have helped support a variety of projects at the schools. I know that every year the principals look forward to hearing from the Chamber about how large the donation will be. Every penny that is donated goes directly into purchasing materials that the school needs most. The Chamber Honorary Mayor campaign and several other fundraisers are great ways for the Alpine business community to support the children of Alpine. My thanks go out to the Chamber and all the merchants who contribute. Superintendent Greg Ryan, Alpine Union School District

We are thrilled with the Chambers generous donation, and are planning on using the money to purchase some math software that will provide students with an engaging alternative mode of learning mathematics concepts. We cant thank the Chamber enough for their ongoing interest in and dedication to Alpines schools. Principal Craig Champion, Mountain View Learning Academy.