By Shaylyn Austin
News Editor
To encourage community members to donate to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation held from Nov. 5-9 its first annual MBEF Pledge Week.
This year, MBEF extended its previously held annual Pledge Day to a week-long event in order to further promote its appeal. MBEF will release the amount raised by Nov. 18.
“Pledge Week is an opportunity for MBEF to answer questions and get people to donate,” MBEF Vice President of Fundraising Carolyn Robb said. “We hope to raise more than the $1 million raised last year on Pledge Day.”
The funds MBEF raises are used to fund grants for the following school year. This year, MBEF grants support 72 educators, Costa’s College and Career counselors, librarians, and district-wide technology and music programs.
“We are so fortunate that MBEF supports the library with funding for my position,” Costa teacher librarian Jane Lofton said. “MBEF has allowed me to develop a strong program at Costa.”
According to Robb, MBEF’s goal for this year’s total appeal is to surpass last year’s contributions of $4.7 million.
“Pledge Week is one of the biggest fundraisers MBEF has,” Robb said. “Depending on the amount we raised this past week, we can plan the rest of the year’s fundraisers.”
The next major MBEF event is the annual wine auction held in June. Until then, the foundation will hold smaller fundraising get-togethers within the community.
“MBEF has always played a huge role at Costa,” English teacher Shannon Vaughan said. “I am extremely grateful for everything the foundation has done.”
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