East Greenwich Education Fundraiser Nets $65K For Schools

EAST GREENWICH, RI — A local nonprofit organization raised tens of thousand of dollars for local schools during a record-breaking annual fundraiser. This year's East Greenwich Education Foundation's "Beach Ball" netted a record-breaking $65,000, which will be distributed to schools throughout the East Greenwich school system.

This is the fourth year for the annual event, which usually raises about $30,000 through ticket sales, a live and silent auction and, new for this year, a "paddle raise" that brought in nearly $10,000. The Foundation's President, Katie Keeffe, said this year's generosity came from more support than usual from local businesses, which made up for about half of this year's donations and very giving attendees.

"I think that really speaks to how committed the people in this town are to encouraging innovative, sustainable, and creative projects in our children’s schools," Mandy Lehne, the Foundation's treasurer and an organizer for the event, said.

East Greenwich teachers will have the opportunity to submit grant proposals for the 2020-2021 school year, when the funds will be allocated to support projects throughout the schools system. In the upcoming year, the foundation has already committed to $35,000 in grants, bringing a new program or project to every school in the district.