Annual Fall Fund Raiser was a great success
 

Anacortes Rotary event raises $30,000 for Early-Childhood Learning program

 

Anacortes School District’s Summer IMPACT early learning program will receive $30,000 following the Anacortes Rotary Fall Auction held Friday, Oct. 12. IMPACT is a summer program providing extra support for struggling students in kindergarten through third grade so they can be successful in school.

 

The summer IMPACT program was the primary beneficiary of the Anacortes Rotary Club fundraiser that raised an estimated $53,000 overall.

 

Anacortes School District (ASD) operates IMPACT classes for four-weeks in summer, focusing on math, literacy and social development along with lunches and play time. Helped by the Rotary grant, the school district hopes to expand the reach of the program next summer and in years to come.

 

Remaining auction proceeds will benefit scholarships for Anacortes students and a wide range of other Rotary local and international charitable priorities, including the Anacortes Boys and Girls Club, Ready to Learn Fair, Reading is Fundamental program, and events such as Open Streets, National Night Out, Kids R Best Fest and Bark in the Park.

 

 “I know how meaningful and helpful the IMPACT summer program is,” said Rotary auction event chair Stephanie Hamilton. “It works because it targets those most in need, has a rigorous curriculum and shows a proven track record of getting kids better prepared to enter school.”

 

 “IMPACT is just getting started in its current form, but already is showing measurable results in tests following the recent program years,” said Anacortes Rotary President Bonnie Bowers. “School district data revealed large improvements in school-readiness measures and overall academic gains. Those results are why Rotary is excited to support the program.”

 

“We’re incredibly grateful to Rotary for the support,” said ASD superintendent Mark Wenzel. “This grant is going to directly impact many students’ lives.”

 

An estimated 145 people attended the club’s Fall Fundraiser and supported the featured “Raise the Auction Paddle” event for IMPACT and other community causes. Dozens of volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Anacortes, Fidalgo Island and La Conner supported the event.

 

According to Anacortes Rotary officials, final numbers are being tallied as last-minute donations and expenses are totaled.     

 

Major sponsors for the event included Barton Waring, Strandberg Construction, Burton Jewelers, Heritage Bank, Skagit Bank, Skagit Cycle, Shell Refinery and John and Colleen McIntyre.

 

Recipients for Anacortes Rotary funds undergo a careful review by the Club’s giving committee each year. The club announces its application procedure each fall. Watch the club website,  anacortesrotary.org, for details next year.