Community Chest Spotlight: Sewanee Elementary School

The 2014-15 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $101,000.

This week we shine the spotlight on the Sewanee Elementary School (SES).

The community has always helped to maintain the public school, from building the school in 1927, to providing financial support for enrichment programs and supplies.

SES relies on yearly funding from the Community Chest to meet the school’s needs. The Sewanee Parent Organization (SPO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, requests and disburses the Community Chest funds each year for SES. The SPO works with the SES teachers and staff to find solutions to specific educational needs of the school not met by the Franklin County School system’s funding or services. All money received from the Community Chest is used for yearly support to the school. This includes professional development, technology purchases, library books, and supplies for classrooms. The SPO supports 250 children and 30 faculty and staff members.

This year the SPO will receive $20,000 if the Sewanee Community Chest goal is met. The Community Chest currently funds almost 90 percent of the SPO operating expenses for the school. The SPO also receives money through annual dues and small fundraisers such as t-shirt sales. SES receives additional money from school pictures, two book fairs, and the BoxTops program.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375.