Feb. 3, 2014 Santiago began an ambitious new fundraiser with an ultimate goal of raising $100,000 a year to help improve and update technology around the school. In order to achieve the grand total, Santiago will require the support of the entire community including donations from students, families, and local businesses.
The fundraiser will last from Feb. 3 to Feb. 21 and is sponsored by the newly formed Friends of Santiago, a booster organization for the entire school. The purpose of the Friends of Santiago is to “provide current technology access and equipment to the students at Santiago High School, to help prepare students for 21st century careers, to prepare students to enter college and the workplace, and to provide cutting edge technology to all students,” according to their mission statement.
The Friends of Santiago intends to accomplish their task through fundraising, grants, sponsorships, community partnerships, and donations from local businesses and organizations to sponsor students, classrooms and even buildings. Part of this effort included the recent Jersey Mike’s fundraiser, which raised approximately $4,000 for campus beautification and new technology for the school.
In addition, the Friends of Santiago asks teachers and students to help support the effort and bring in $50 dollars a student through their 4th Period classes.
“Our goal is to make every classroom here at Santiago like those found in the new P Building,” stated Assistant Principal of Activities Petria Gonzales. “We want to raise $100,000 this year, and hopefully every after that to keep the school current on technology.”
The Friends of Santiago is run entirely by parents of students here at the school, with Michael Zimmerman serving as the president of the organization.
The Friends of Santiago will continue to promote additional fundraisers during the year to support their goal including partnering with Beyond 5, including Santiago alumni: Ammon Tuimaualuga, for a benefit concert later this April.
