16
schools
june14
2011
Campaign for Vernonia Schools Moving Forward
The fundraising campaign that
is raising money to build the new Ver-
nonia K-12 School Campus is moving
forward and can point to several recent
interesting success stories of funders
who have stepped forward.
“The Vernonia School District
and Catalyst Campaign have developed
a robust multiyear campaign to raise
funds through a combination of public
and private sources,” said John Dono-
van, of the Met Group, who are organiz-
ing the campaign in a recent interview.
“In addition to the $31.1 million raised
to date (ahead of the campaign schedule/
goal), we have nearly $1 million in re-
quests pending and more than $10 mil-
lion in the cultivation stage.”
With an overall goal of raising
$42 million, Donovan explained that
campaign has shifted to a two phase ap-
proach, targeting $39.2 million to build
the actual school building in the first
phase, with planned September 2012
opening, and Phase II which would raise
an additional $2.8 million to construct
the Vernonia Rural Sustainability Cen-
ter structure on a slightly delayed time
frame.
“We have a strong campaign
committee, and have created powerful
momentum through fundraising suc-
cess, public outreach and media cover-
age,” added Donovan. “We are feeling
very, very positively about how far we
have come in all the different facets of
resource development.”
The campaign has targeted sev-
eral areas of major funding sources in-
cluding Community Donors, a Timber
Industry campaign, Individual Major
gifts, Corporate donors, Foundations,
State and Federal government sourc-
es, and the Community Bond that was
passed for $13.6 million.
Donovan noted the Met Group
has received help from several sources.
“We have done this with a lot help from
within the community as well as from
the Oregon Solutions Steering Commit-
tee and our own Campaign Committee
structure, which includes business lead-
ers from around the region,” explained
Donovan. “We are very fortunate to
have such a great set of volunteer and in-
stitutional players who have put so much
of their own time and effort.
Donovan highlighted several
compelling stories of recent gifts the
campaign has recently received, includ-
ing:
• Joe and Bonnie McNutt have
made a $60,000 personal gift from their
estate. Joe is a VHS alumnus.
• The Bighorn Logging Com-
pany has made both a capital campaign
contribution of $25,000 as well as a
$5,000 grant to support the natural re-
source curriculum program led by Prin-
cipal Aaron Miller.
• The family of Ben Soejima
has made a $10,000 donation in his
honor on his 88 th birthday. Mr. Soeji-
ma and his two siblings graduated
from Vernonia High school in the early
1940’s. Being of Japanese descent, they
were interned in a camp in Idaho dur-
ing WWII. Mr. Soejima has very fond
memories of Vernonia and his class-
mates who did not turn their backs on
his family during the war. When Mr.
Soejima was told he was leaving for the
camp, he was allowed to pack one bag,
in it he carried high school memorabilia.
Mr. Soejima was a barber in
Portland for over 40 years and during
that time was known to donate to the
Vernonia High School Athletic fund.
On April 30, 2011 for his 88th birthday,
Mr. Soejima’s three daughters donated
$10,000 to the new school fund to name
the Boys Coaching Office in his honor.
• The Wauna Federal Credit
Union is working closely all its branches
to raise funds this year toward a $15,000
goal. Pam Weller, the branch manager
from Vernonia’s Wauna FCU branch,
has been the champion behind this tre-
mendous effort.
• Clear Channel will be running
a PSA campaign on behalf of the project
to raise awareness and support the com-
munity campaign effort this year.
Vernonia Receives 2011 Global Education Excellence Award
Everyone Wins With The
Summer Meals Program!
Children
continue to receive nutritious meals
during long school vacations, when
they do not have access to school
lunch or breakfast.
education,” said Dan Sodervall, president of the and visiting student shared an unforgettable
experience thanks to the generosity of the
EF Foundation for Foreign Study. “By welcoming
high school’s principal,
exchange students into the
teachers, students and
classrooms, Vernonia High
families. Vernonia High
School has created a new and
School has welcomed EF
unique learning opportunities
students for five years
not just for the exchange
and we hope to continue
students, but for American
this relationship for many
students and faculty as well.”
more years.”
The
award
was
To learn more
presented to principal Nate
about getting involved
Underwood on June 8, 2011.
with high school exchange
Local
coordinator,
Gail
in this community, please
Moore, added, “We thank
contact Gail Moore at
Vernonia High School for
360-642-8600 or visit
welcoming this year’s student
VHS Principal Nate Underwood and foreign
effoundation,org.
from
Germany,
Marina
exchange student Marina Mekidiche accept the
Mekidiche The Community
Global Education Excellence award.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for youth!
Any questions please contact
Cathy Meyer (503) 522-5311 or (503) 429 8033
Parents
stretch food dollars and know that
their children are receiving healthy
meals in a supportive environment.
Employees
have summer employment.
Communities
provide safe places for children
to go to be with other children
and with supportive adults.
don Jarman. Jarman's
position, victim of a tight
budget, was cut for next
year. Jarman, a fixture
of the VHS and VMS
sports scene will be sorely
missed.
Ernie Smith
from the School Board
was on hand to say good
bye to someone many
people involved with Ver-
nonia schools consider a
good friend.
ath Health Se
rv
al P
r
i
tu
ce
s
Summer Meals Program
Jarman
Farewell --The Vernonia School District, including students,
coaches, teachers and even the School Board, said a sad farewell to Athletic Director Gor-
Na
Vernonia High School received national
recognition for excellence in global education
by EF Foundation for Foreign Study, the leader
in high school exchange. Awarded annually,
The EF award is presented to high schools that
demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to
international understanding and global awareness.
Vernonia High School was one of a select group
of high schools recognized across the United
States for the 2010-2011 school year.
This year VHS welcomed one exchange
student through the EF program. Not only was
the student accepted into school, she became
an integral part of the school’s academic and
extracurricular life, involving the community-at-
large in the exchange experience.
“Vernonia High School has shown an
outstanding commitment to offering a global
June 20th through August 19th
Free
While learning does not end when school lets out, neither does
the need for good nutrition. Sponsored by the USDA, the
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is good, nutritious food
that’s “in” when school is “out.”
Who Is Eligible?
Partners:
Vernonia District 47J
Pioneer Baptist Fellowship
Vernonia Hands-on-Art
Vernonia Community Theatre
Vernonia Prevention
Coalition
Master Gardeners
All youth 18 years of age or younger who come to an approved
open site or to an eligible enrolled site may receive meals.
People over age 18 who are enrolled in school programs for
persons with disabilities may also receive meals.
Vernonia Middle School Cafeteria
Foster Grandparent Program
St. Helen School District
Hunger Relief Coalition
Community Volunteers
Community Action Team
USDA and the State of Oregon are
equal opportunity Providers and
employers
Breakfast
Scheduled
Lunch
8:30
Activity
11:30
Adults $1.25
9-11
Adults $2.00
All REGISTERED volunteers & staff are provided a meal on the day they participate
Dr. Carol McIntyre
Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine
503.481.4096
cccmnd@yahoo.com
naturalpathhealthservices.com
786 Bridge Street
Vernonia, OR, 97064
Owned and Operated by
Don & Kim Wallace