Well, WiSH is new to many of you… so let me take the opportunity to introduce ourselves! The WiSH Education Foundation was formed in 2012 with 15 community members to bridge the gap between pre-2008 public school funding and the recent budget cuts. Much of our first year was spent on foundational work – becoming a 501(c)3, establishing bylaws, etc.
As Executive Director I made a promise to our residents and our Hart District employees that the money raised during the year would all go directly to our schools. Well, in just our first academic school year, WiSH donated $60,000 and included every school in the Hart District! Money was raised through several events – the Starry, Starry Night event, which brings your favorite television dancers to the stage to benefit local schools (2nd annual show to be held February 1 at West Ranch Theater, see www.wishscv.org for tickets), Run For Gold, a 10k/5k/kidk run/walk and A Toast & A WiSH, a beautiful wine and food tasting event held at the Old Town Newhall Library. Through these events and working with community partners such as Jersey Mike’s, Cobblestone Cottage and The Signal, we were able to give funds back to Athletics, Performing Arts and Special Education. $50,000 was spent on science equipment for the schools, but what made this expenditure so wonderful was that all the Science Chairs were asked what they wanted and needed, so that funds were put to the best use possible. It was our pleasure to see students using and appreciating the many different kinds of equipment that every school received, from DNA strands to microscopes to anatomy parts and more! WiSH is grateful to have been designated the beneficiary of the SCV Chamber’s Santa Colorita Run, so come out for the fun on February 15th to help raise funds for local, public education! See www.santacolorita.com for tickets! Help us to continue making a difference for every student in the Hart District; see www.WiSHscv.org to keep up on all of our events and to make a donation. Remember, great schools affect every resident, keeping our property values high and continuing to make SCV a very desirable place to live!