When the Crestwood Secondary Odyssey of the Mind team brought home a gold medal from the 2022 World Finals competition held at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, the Crestwood Education Foundation (CEF) provided funds to help get them there.
When the Crestwood High School and Junior High Science Olympiad Teams participated in the recent Northeast Regional Competition at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, the Crestwood Education Foundation purchased supplies and helped with funds to enter the event where several students medaled.
And when members of the secondary campus Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the state leadership conference and the national FBLA competition, they were aided by support from the foundation.
Those are just a sampling of the many projects the nonprofit 501c3 foundation has supported throughout the school district since it was established in 2018 with the goal of providing financial assistance to new and existing programs within the district’s core and co-curriculums.
The mission of the Crestwood Education Foundation is to initiate, support, fund and enhance the educational opportunities of students and faculty in the Crestwood School District. It focuses on funding innovative projects that enrich student learning in new and unique ways.
Some of the other projects and programs initiated or supported by the CEF include:
• Purchasing of software for use in the foreign language classes.
• Funding an anti-bullying program on the secondary campus for the Aevidum (We’ve got your back) Club.
• Purchasing of a vertical growing tower garden home growing system for cross-curricular learning.
• Helping fund attendance of the science classes at the Hersheypark Science Day.
• Funding the entry fee for Hayes Family Science Competition.
• Purchasing of sensory equipment for the autistic support class.
• Purchasing of supplies for the middle school STEM classroom.
• Funding WVIA Quiz Bowl team.
• Providing the Lego Robotics team with fees and supplies.
• Supporting of the Green Club.
• Donating to the Distinguished Alumni Award event which brings back distinguished Crestwood alumni to present to and motivate students.
Beyond providing financial support to projects throughout the district, the CEF served as a conduit between i2M and the school district in starting our Crestwood Creators Program and newly founded manufacturing curriculum. The curriculum is aimed at preparing students to be ready to begin work at local industry such as i2M upon graduation. Headquartered in the Crestwood Industrial Park, i2M is a leading manufacturer, designer, and printer of advanced, flexible plastic films.
Much of the funding for the foundation, according to president Barry Boone, has come through Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations from area businesses, banks, and industry.
Boone noted that since the CEF is a 503c foundation, residents can make tax free donations to the foundation at any time. Its mailing address is: Crestwood Education Foundation, 281 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, PA 18707
“We are also encouraging area residents to make targeted donations through the United Way as a means of support,” Boone added. “By attending our fundraisers, or becoming sponsors of these events, private citizens can also aid our cause,” he noted. More information can be obtained from any CEF member or by contacting Boone at barry.boone@csdcomets.org.
The foundation is planning two major fundraisers in the upcoming months. The first is a fundraiser/informational gathering at Cavanaugh’s Grille on Saturday, May 4. Pizza, wings and refreshments will be served and a tie-in with the Kentucky Derby will be part of the day. Members will be selling tickets to the event and raffling off a collection of gift cards to restaurants on the mountain. Tickets will be available through foundation board members and at Cavanaugh’s Grill.
On Sunday, June 23, the foundation will host its second golf tournament at Sand Springs. Information on this event will be forthcoming shortly. Golfers and sponsors are needed to make this a successful event. Other upcoming events are displayed on the school district website.
Recently, the CEF held an indoor cornhole tournament in Kingston and sports memorabilia show at the high school. It also has paired with Boscov’s to raise funds and plans on doing so again this fall.
Besides Boone, CEF members include Anna Bibla, Steven Gapinski, James Geiger (vice-president), Tami Geroski, Ed Griffiths, Chris Madden, Sean McLaughlin, Betsy Morris (secretary), Sara Nemshick, Dave Pekala, Susan Pekala, Sharon Randle (treasurer), Al Williams.
The CEF meets at least quarterly at the high school and is looking for members who would like to be part of the organization. It is looking to re-start its website with a link to the school district’s website.
