By Edita McQuary
For the second year in a row, Aptos’ Valencia Elementary School won the “Drive for Schools” fundraiser in the elementary school category. On the morning of November 14, 2016, Principal Caryn Lane was presented a trophy by Jody Turner of Toyota of Santa Cruz and Karley Pope of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at a special school assembly.
Valencia’s “Home and Schools” volunteer parent support organization members Joanna Dang, Lizzy Anderson, Jessica Amezaga Lange, Darcy Pruett and about 100 parent (and grandparent) volunteers led the school to success. Of course, the students also played a big part in the victory.
Valencia Elementary currently has 550 students in grades kindergarten through 6th grade. It is one of the most diverse schools in one of the largest school districts in the state. A Santa Cruz County Certified Green Organic Business since 2012, they also earned the coveted California Distinguished School Award in 2014.
Since 2005, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Capitola Auto Mall Dealers Group have sponsored the ‘Drive for Schools’ annual car giveaway fundraiser. It is the largest school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County. There are four categories of schools selling tickets: high school, junior high/middle school, elementary, multi-grade and a Special Spirit Award. This year, they raised more than $645,732 for 84 local schools, bringing the total funds raised to a staggering $4.7 million since its beginnings!
Besides Valencia, which raised $24,850, the other 2016 winners were Soquel High School ($23,229), Tierra Pacifica Charter (27,235), SLV Nature Academy ($9,170) and a special Spirit Award was presented to Watsonville Charter School for raising $22,855.
The funds raised by this important fundraiser sponsored by Capitola Auto Mall Dealers Group and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk enable the schools involved to provide activities and programs such as music, art, technology, playground improvement and more that would not otherwise be supported in their respective annual budgets.
Kudos to Capitola Auto Mall Dealers Group and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for their interest in and support of the children and families of Santa Cruz County!
Photo: Darcy Pruitt (from left), Jody Turner (Toyota), Caryn Lane, Karley Pope (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk), Scott Lange, Jessica Amezaga Lange, and Natasha Lange.