Our ‘Barrels, Bites, & Bids for Kids’ auction on May 11^th, is raising funds for the students at Mabel Rush Elementary in Newberg, OR. 100% of funds raised at the auction will directly benefit our students. This year, our focus is on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) learning. Along those lines, funds will be used for fine arts opportunities such as field trips to the symphony, field trips exploring bridge engineering, 3d printing materials, and online math learning materials among many other things. 

Getting students engaged is easier when we can give them a lot of learning options. We are trying to find ways to make learning relevant, fun, authentic, and valuable by giving every student the opportunity to find out what interests them and then growing and fostering that engagement. We want every child to have the opportunity and desire to excel, but those opportunities cost money.

41% of our student population is low income. We are hoping to give every student here the same opportunities as children from the wealthier schools in the area. By giving kids more opportunities to enrich their learning experience, we are hoping every child seizes that opportunity and lives up to their full potential. Believing in kids and giving them opportunities has innumerable benefits. Those benefits, if led by encouraging educators and adults, should lead to better communities in the long term.

Our fundraising goal for our auction this year is $20,000. With donations from community minded and generous organizations such as yourselves, you can help us reach that goal; together we can invest in the future of our students and our communities.