NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 27, 2022
Contact: Kris Reyes
(831) 333-6966
[email protected]
Santa Cruz, CA – Drive for Schools, the largest school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County, raised $726,757 for local schools this year. Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Drive for Schools has raised $8,716,602 for Santa Cruz County schools since the program started in 2005.
Ticket sales were exceptionally strong this year. In addition to the $25,000 grand prize donated by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, local businesses donated over 100 prizes totaling more than $47,000 in value. San Lorenzo Valley High School raised the most money for their school totaling $50,106.
The winner of the $25,000 Grand Prize was Jenelle Bouchard of Aptos. Janelle and her husband Morgan have two young children and their oldest began attending Mar Vista Elementary School this year. This was the first year Janelle and her family participated in Drive for Schools, selling over $800 worth of tickets themselves. “We are so grateful to have won the grand prize,” Janelle said. “It’s something no one really expects to win so we are happy to use this as an investment in our family’s future.”
Participating Santa Cruz County schools keep all the proceeds from their tickets sales and use the money raised to fund important school programs.
“SLV High School and Music Boosters are thankful to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for sponsoring Drive for Schools,” Melissa Harrell of San Lorenzo Valley High School said. “We believe that every student should have access to music education and experiences, regardless of their ability to pay. The money raised this year will help fund our trip to New Orleans in the spring. This fundraiser allowed our students to offset the cost of their trip by selling tickets to friends and family.”
Drive for Schools runs for approximately 5 weeks every fall. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk covers the cost of the cash prizes and donates staff time to organize and run the fundraiser. Tickets and posters are generously printed by Mission Printers. Hundreds of school volunteers coordinate their school’s ticket sales. Visit https://beachboardwalk.com/drive-for-schools for a complete list of winners.
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