This past year, the Foundation continued the mission we’ve held since 1992 – to support students and teachers across the Hood River County School District. I am deeply grateful for the continued support of our community and local businesses, whose generosity last year made it possible for HRCEF to increase our impact and launch an exciting new opportunity for families.
Last school year we awarded more college scholarships than ever before and saw record applications for Impact Teaching Grants. We continued to fund swim lessons, field trips, and need-based after-school care. With a generous gift from the Farmer’s Conservation Alliance, HRCEF worked with the School District to launch a new program, Little Steps, Big Dreams, which helps families of kindergarten students open 529 College Savings Plans. Behind the scenes, we began a comprehensive update of our Strategic Plan to guide the Foundation’s future work.
This year also saw transitions for the Foundation. We celebrated the retirement of long-time board members Chuck Bugge, Karen Asai, Celia Newton, and Yesenia Sanchez-Oates. Their contributions over the years – even decades – have fundamentally shaped who we are today. While sad to see them go, we happily welcomed four new board members who bring fresh experience and dedication to our mission: Kristi Heck, Matthew Roth, Mo Wright, and Barry Paul.
As our schools and students face new challenges, our work is all the more vital. We continue to focus on expanding educational opportunities, enriching learning in and outside the classroom, and supporting our graduates as they pursue their goals beyond high school.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you to all of you in our community who support the Foundation in so many ways. Your generosity makes a huge impact in shaping brighter futures for Hood River County students.
Sincerely,
Aspen McKenna
Board Chair
