Lots of us are eager to start the New Year, but the Salem Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) is ready to hit the ground running after a successful endeavor hosting an online auction beginning Nov. 9 and ending Nov. 16. Over the course of a week, the foundation was able to raise over $8,000—all of which is guaranteed to go directly to supporting all Dent County area schools and teachers. In addition, the Dragonfly Wings Foundation, run by Lisa and Wes Hester, made a generous gift to SPSF in the amount of $10,000.00. The gift, along with auction proceeds, will enhance the foundation’s efforts to support classroom mini-grants and all Dent County schools.
SPSF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The goals of SPSF are to raise funds to promote excellence in the school system, provide enhanced opportunities for students to reach their potential, create a bridge that brings community and schools together, and provide mini-grants for classrooms to promote academic learning and excellence. Board members have been working hard since 2020 getting organized and ready to begin their quest of aiding Dent County’s school districts.
Lynne Emory Engle expressed that the foundation felt deeply moved by the community's support, feeling incredibly blessed not only by the proceeds raised through the auction but also by the generous donations of baskets and other goods from local businesses, school districts, and individuals. Donations of auctioned items included themed baskets from each school district, hand crafted quilted bags made by Patsy Cooper, a $50 gas gift card from Julie and Dan Salyer of Phil Mart, basket of detailing items from Sellers Mechanical Services, basket of reading delights from the Salem Public Library, and much, much more, leading to the successful fundraising of $8,600. She expressed thanks for the generosity of everyone involved, including the Dragonfly Wings Foundation for its $10,000 donation.
Recently, the original SPSF board members travelled to each of the five school districts around Dent County to request partnership. Each district approved and new board members were added to provide SPSF a clearer picture of needs for Dent County school districts. Members added to the original seven include April Greener for R-I; Sara Jones and Lesa Glenn for R-II; Sarah Parker, Vicki Booker, and Karla Tiefenthaler for R-III; Kristina Jackson and Chrissy Flores for R-IV; and Kathy Grover, Laine Schafer, and Melanie Wisdom for R-80.
“We hope this functions as a bridge between the five schools,” said Engle in a previous interview, speaking on the goal for SPSF. “And bring them closer to together.”
The original board members include Lynne Engle, Harold Hamilton, Mary Beth Cook, Tammy Sellers, Ruth Ann Parker, Michael Sullivan, and Dr. Bernie Sirois. Each member is connected to and seeks to help the Dent County community, with some members being local business owners, previous school board members, or retired teachers with many years of experience. Everyone’s perspective provides the board with insight into what each school district needs.
Applications for mini-grants are expected to be sent out in January. Meetings will be conducted each month with a vote from board members to determine funding recipients. With representation from each district on its board, voting is assured to be balanced, unbiased, and informed to ensure districts get the help they need. Mini-grants are expected to be awarded in early spring 2025.
What the mini-grants could go toward is potentially unlimited, with the goal of investing in the growth and opportunity for area students and faculty—SPSF is on a path to better sustain and expand programs that make lasting educational experiences.
“Our focus in getting started is to work with all of our area’s schools, and helping teachers apply for mini-grants to help support non-budgeted items,” said Engle.
Donations can also be made in-person at Town & Country Bank with Salem Public Schools Foundation specified as the recipient. Donations, made online and at the bank, can also be specified as directly for certain districts, and those funds will not be used for anything other than aiding that district, if one desires. Donors can also designate donations for the school, program, or projects of their choice.
