Officials with the Danville Public School Foundation conducted the group’s annual 365 Club breakfast as a way to thank donors, publicize some of its projects and recognize a long-time leader.
Bob Richard tool over as executive director at the foundation in 2009. The organization was created in 1989 after a group of volunteers pooled ideas and donations in an effort to help expand and improve programs in Danville schools.
Under Richard’s leadership, the foundation bloomed into a vibrant and vital part of the District 118 school community. Richard came to the foundation after serving 33 years as a Danville police officer. During his tenure, the foundation and its donors help support programs in the arts, in science, in athletics and in many other educational areas. His drive and commitment to the community’s children will be missed.
Since its beginning in 1989, donors have provided more than $1 million for Danville schools. One of the most visible contributions is the all-weather turf football field at Danville High School.
The foundation’s goals, according to its website, include:
Provide creative, inspiring and fun experiences in support of the district’s curriculum;Help provide innovative education opportunities;Support school-wide assemblies to enrich students’ experience;And fund projects within the district.
The recent breakfast gave foundation officials, including new executive director Stephanie Yates, the opportunity to talk about a few of the organization’s most recent 27 projects. Those include new playgrounds at Liberty and Southwest elementary schools; “Drumming Around the World” special music program at Meade Park Elementary; the addition of bowling to the physical education program at South View Upper Elementary; and, in conjunction with a grant from the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, new microscopes for second-graders at Northeast Elementary Magnet School. The foundation’s grants totaled $159,000 this year.
The event also recognized some of the more than 150 members of the foundation’s 365 Club, people and organizations who donate $1 a day — $365 a year — to the organization. Those interested in supporting the foundation’s efforts also can donate in other ways, including honoring a person by sponsoring a brick in the walk near the high school’s clock tower, sponsoring a tree that includes a plaque or sponsoring a personalized bench. For information on how to make a donation, contact the foundation at 217-444-1044 or visit its website at dpsf.org
Many of the foundation’s efforts go on in classrooms with little notice from the general public. The support of its donors and the commitment of its leaders help ensure Danville students receive an extra special boost. No one knows for sure what those positive experiences might spark in a student. But it’s obvious efforts such as the ones put forth by the foundation and its donors make Danville schools better.