Our Mission

The Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) has cut all funding for field trips in the upcoming budget. This means that children in the district will not be going on the curriculum-based field trips for which the school district has previously paid. Our group is launching a fundraiser beginning August 15, 2009. The goal is to raise approximately $70,000 that will be given to the ECASD for funding those field trips that would otherwise be eliminated this year. By achieving our goal, we will support local businesses, stimulate young minds and reinvest in the future of our community.


Thursday, July 16, 2009

In the news...

Eau Claire parents' group aims to fund school field trips
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff

Parents are launching a fundraiser next month in hopes of raising $70,000 to maintain Eau Claire school district curriculum-based field trips for the 2009-10 academic year. "These parents are energized, and I'm 100 percent confident they're going to raise this money," said school board member Wendy Sue Johnson, who called a group of parent leaders together earlier this year after the board approved eliminating district-funded field trips for 2009-10 as one way to address a projected budget shortfall that exceeded $4 million.

While some individual parent-teacher associations and organizations might be able to raise enough to cover the cost of field trips at their own schools, others might not, said Johnson, former chairwoman of the district's Parent Advisory Council and former co-president of the Northwoods PTO. By joining together, the group Eau Claire United PTA/PTO hopes to raise enough money so all students can go.

"Field trips are just a good thing for all kids," said Diane Willer, a north side parent who is heading up the group. "I'd really hate to see them lose out."

Possible elementary field trips for 2009-10 include to Beaver Creek Reserve, Children's Museum of Eau Claire, Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail, Chippewa Valley Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging Camp.

The fundraiser will run from Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. People interested in taking part can contribute. Area businesses are being solicited for assistance by asking their customers to donate $1 to the cause, displaying a collection box or agreeing to match a certain dollar amount.
Ryan and Laura Bembnister, owners of The Goat Coffee House, 408 Water St., is one business that has agreed to participate.

"The second I heard about (the fundraising effort) I wanted to be involved," said Ryan Bembnister, co-chairman of the Locust Lane PTO, a member of Eau Claire United PTA/PTO and a parent of three, who sees value in field trips.

"We're not talking about sending kids to the mall or Wisconsin Dells," he said. "They're taking trips to ... places that can benefit them outside the classroom."

EAU-D Inc., which owns several local Burger King restaurants, has agreed to match the first $5,000 raised.

"Everybody in this economy is having problems, ... but the more everybody helps, the less everybody has to put in," said Mike DeRosa, company president and parent.

O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
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