Happy Independence Day weekend!

We are about a month away from TUSD schools opening for in-person learning. My entire first year as ED has been met with school closures and remote learning, so I’m looking forward to being able to actually visit the schools and meet the remarkable educators and staff who care so much about the students. I was able to make some virtual connections during the pandemic and out of one of those meetings came an opportunity to support Maldonado Elementary, a small Title 1 school that borders the Pascua Yaqui reservation with over 82% of the students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. I’m thrilled to share EEF was awarded a grant from the Marshall Foundation to build a STEM Lab at Maldonado Elementary! Maldonado Elementary students have had few opportunities to engage in educational enrichment activities. Maldonado principal, Robbie Ramirez, writes “the school has recently risen to a B rated school after a decade as a D/F school, meeting our belief that our students deserve better and will rise to meet our expectations. To continue to build on this positive momentum and further meet the diverse needs of our community, we are building a STEM lab in which our students can explore their creativity and ingenuity while participating in hands-on experiences.” Ms. Ramirez and I are very appreciative of Marshall Foundation’s support and we look forward to a ribbon-cutting this fall to celebrate the new world of opportunities the lab will bring to these students.

This fall we also look forward to holding the 22nd Ray Davies Humanitarian Award Luncheon in person! Please join us Friday, October 22nd at the Tucson Convention Center for the biggest luncheon yet where we will honor Katie Dusenberry and Bruce & Lynne Dusenberry. More details below and invitations will be sent at a later date.

At our recent end of fiscal year board meeting, the board elected new officers and said goodbye to a couple of devoted board members. I want to recognize Connie MacDonald who completed three terms (9 years!) of dedicated service on the EEF board, and Megan O’Leary who served many leading roles during her two year tenure. Both of these women brought thoughtfulness and heart to EEF and we wish them well as they venture on to other opportunities. Welcome to our new board officers highlighted below.

We appreciate everyone who reads this newsletter and we hope you share it with others! As we embark on the coming school year, EEF strives to do more for TUSD students and teachers, and I look forward to sharing our accomplishments with you.

Enjoy a safe and happy 4th of July!

“From every mountainside, let freedom ring” Martin Luther King Jr.

Sincerely,

Dawn Bell
Executive Director
CONGRATS TO THE NEWLY
ELECTED EEF BOARD OFFICERS!
2021-2022 Board Officers:

Amanda Thomas, UA Foundation - Board President
Ryan Anderson, Tucson Electric Power - Vice President
Ricky Hernandez, University of Arizona - Treasurer
Melissa Turpie, Ludwig Klewer & Rudner, PLLC - Secretary
HELP US STUFF THE BUS JULY 17TH
As a new school year approaches, returning to the classroom will be a challenge for many students in our TUSD community. The prices of back-to-school basics such as supplies, backpacks, and uniforms are simply unaffordable for many low-income families.
 
Part of our Back To School Bonanza campaign is the Stuff The Bus event to concentrate our efforts and gather these basic need items so students can confidently return to school with everything they need to be successful.
 
Help us Stuff The Bus!
Saturday, July 17th
8 AM - 12 PM
Walmart at Speedway & Kolb
Walmart at El Con
 
 
Want to volunteer and join the fun? Email us HERE  
IT'S ON!
SAVE THE DATE!

The 22nd Ray Davies Lifetime Humanitarian Achievement Award Luncheon is happening this year and we look forward to seeing you there!
 
October 22, 2021
11:30am – 1:30pm
Tucson Convention Center
 
Honoring
Katie Dusenberry and Bruce & Lynne Dusenberry
 
Presented by Mike & Claudia Levin

Click HERE for sponsorship oppertunites
MEET DRISANA

Drisana is EEF's SUPERHERO Program Manager (or SUPER-SANA as we affectionately call her)! Find out more about Drisana by reading the full interview below.

Why EEF?
When I discovered the Educational Enrichment Foundation, I fell in love with the mission and the impact the organization has on students’ lives and their futures. When the organization began 37 years ago, it was the intention to enrich the learning experience of students by providing classroom grants. However, as the needs of the community have evolved, so have the focuses of EEF.
I believe you cannot enrich the educational experience of a student without first meeting their basic needs. As Program Manager, I am able to see firsthand that once students receive the new shoes they need to run and play, the new glasses they need to see the front of the classroom, the hygiene supplies they need to feel confident and ready to learn, THEN we are able to provide additional resources to further enrich their classrooms.
BACK TO SCHOOL BONANZA
Help send TUSD students back to school with confidence!
We need new and gently used:

  • Closed-toe shoes
  • New in package socks, undies, and bras
  • Uniforms all sizes needed
  • Classroom supplies
  • Backpacks

Donations can be dropped off in the designated bins outside the TUSD Family Resource Centers, and Duffy Clothing Bank.

THE HYGIENE PANTRY
The St. Marks Hygiene Pantry location is now permanently closed. All hygiene supplies are now stored and distributed at the TUSD Family Resource Centers which are open year-round. Donations can be dropped off during business hours at any Family Resource Center.

Hygiene supplies are always appreciated and needed to keep our shelves fully stocked.

  • new wrapped toothbrushes
  • new unopened tubes of toothpaste
  • new bottles of hair conditioner
  • new bottles of shampoo
  • new soap and body wash
  • new wrapped deodorant
JULY TO DO LIST
  • Help spread the word, donate, and/or volunteer to Stuff The Bus on July 17th!
  • Sponsor or buy a ticket to attend the Davies Luncheon.
  • Eat some ice cream or a popsicle to cool off!
  • Dance in the rain (we hope!)
DO YOU SHOP AT FRY'S?
Fry's Community Rewards
This program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your Card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at Fry’s and swipe your Shopper’s Card. Here’s how it works:
CHOOSE AMAZON SMILE
Thank You For Your Support