Green for Green-Fundraising Campaign

By:

 

Stonewall Community Members Give $45,000 to Support

School's Garden Program in 2010-11 Donor Campaign

More than 400 families individual donors give to keep the garden thriving,

including Stonewall families, grandparents, neighbors and students

 

Contact: Kate Cromwell

214.300.1042

 

Dallas, TX-March 11, 2011

 

 

   More than 400 community members, including parents, students, and neighbors of Stonewall Jackson Elementary, have donated nearly $45,000 to help sustain the science program in the 20,000 square foot garden and outdoor science lab at the school. Stonewall Gardens, the volunteer-led-non-profit that supports this model program, led the second annual fundraising campaign to sustain our 15-year program for all Stonewall students. These funds will be used for a full-time science instructor, science equipment and other classroom supplies, and gardening materials and tools.

 

          The students at Stonewall made a terrific contribution to the fundraising efforts this year. Each student was asked to find spare change that could be contributed to the garden, and more than 200 brought back baggies of coins gathered from change bowls, sofa cushions, and even their own piggy banks. Donations from kids ranged from a few cents to nearly $150 and totaled more than $2,000. It was more than 200 pounds of coins, and a great show of support directly from the Stonewall students who love the garden program. Overall, more than 2/3 of Stonewall families made a contribution to support Stonewall Gardens this year.

 

          Neighbors were also asked to make a contribution through letters hand-delivered by Stonewall volunteers. More than 100 neighbors contributed nearly $9,000, most donations ranging between $25-$75- demonstrating how "many hands make light work" when many community members donate, even though they do not have children currently attending the school.

 

          In addition to our individual donors, business sponsors include Hillside Veterinary Clinic, WR Starkey Mortgage, the Corner Market, Live Local East Dallas, and North Haven Gardens. These businesses have demonstrated their commitment to Stonewall as a great local institution that keeps our community thriving with excellent education and model programs.

 

          A few years go, the 15-year old Stonewall Garden program faced extinction after its long-time director and science instructor, Mark Painter, was laid off during the District's massive budget shortfall. Stonewall families, unwilling to see this successful and beloved science program wither, stepped up to donate the funds necessary to bring Mr. Painter back to campus for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year. Parent volunteers immediately began work to establish a new organization that could sustain the Garden program in the years ahead. Stonewall Gardens was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in July 2009, and fundraising efforts with individuals and area business have been ongoing ever since.

 

          Today the Stonewall garden and outdoor science laboratory continues to serve all of the more than 575 students at Stonewall Jackson, one of Dallas' best public elementary schools. The program allows students to connect directly to nature by tending crops, conducting science experiments, and observing the diverse ecosystem in a hands-on environment. That garden curriculum is integrated with in-classroom science lessons and covers virtually all the Texas education standards (TEKS). Olivia Henderson, Stonewall Jackson's principal, notes, "There is no doubt that this program is a very important part of our science curriculum that has increased student achievement with its broad curriculum." In fact, research shows that hands-on activities are enormously effective in helping students gain a deeper understanding and longer-term interest in science than traditional classroom activities.

          As public education again faces another budget crisis, the broad support for Stonewall Gardens speaks to our community's commitment to innovative programs and science education in our public schools. The future of Stonewall Gardens and its ability to grow and flourish are now in the hands of the community. Stonewall Gardens continues to seek donations from the community, local business, corporate partners, and foundations to fully support this important program. To make a donation of learn more about Stonewall Gardens, please visitwww.stonewallgardens.org