The recently formed Friends of Foothills School Division has their first major fundraiser set for next week.
It's the 'Fore Education' golf tournament set for August 20th at the Highwood golf course.
Executive Director Marica Borovich-Law explains how and why the group was formed in the first place.
"A group of educators got together, felt that they wanted to do something for education in Foothills School Division to go beyond more than basic education and to provide the kids with some opportunities. So, a group got together and formed a foundation. We're CRA certified, we are a society in Alberta and now we're starting our strategic plan moving forward with fundraising and looking for how we can help support our kids to help them flourish."
One of those is raising money to allow this to happen for students within the Foothills School Division.
Registration is still open for a team of four or individuals can also register. It includes 18 holes, a golf cart, and dinner. There will also be a silent auction with support from local businesses.
Borovich-Law explains the foundation has three important pillars they are built on.
"One is for emergency relief. So, this is for kids who come to school that may not have boots or coats or things like that. So, schools right now fill that gap and provide those kinds of necessities. Also, in cases where a family may be burnt out, or flooded out. Again, the school steps in immediately to help the kids. Our second is empowering flourishing communities and that's things that help projects that enhance student learning. So, those are kids who come up with some unique and novel ways to do things. And the best example I can give for that is the vertical farm in Diamond Valley (Oilfields High School). A bunch of kids got together with support from families, community got a sea can. They grow microgreens, they sell their microgreens within their community. It gives the kids an application of their educational principles, marketing... those kinds of things. And then plus at the end of the year, if there's product left over, they give it to the food bank. And again, they help support the community. And our last one is enhanced learning support and that's to help kids who need an assessment. They may have a learning disability or something so, this is to help us to figure out how we can best to help those kids."