NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2024
Contact: Kris Reyes
[email protected]
Santa Cruz, CA – Drive for Schools, the largest and most successful school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County, raised over $710,000 for the 85 local schools participating this year. Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Drive for Schools has now raised over $10 million for participating Santa Cruz County schools since the program started in 2005.
The winner of the $25,000 grand prize was Kelly Buhr of Soquel.
“Our kids are in 6th and 8th grade at Kirby, and we also host a 13-year-old exchange student from Beijing who is in 8th grade at Kirby,” said Buhr. “We love that with Drive for Schools, we not only get a chance to win prizes, but 100% of the money raised goes directly to our schools. At Kirby this year, the money raised through Drive for Schools will go directly toward the choir program. We feel so lucky to have won the grand prize, and we’ve decided to donate it back to the community, with a portion going towards future scholarships at our beloved Kirby, and the rest going to some of our favorite local charities.”
In addition to the $25,000 grand prize donated by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, local businesses donated over 100 prizes totaling more than $50,000 in value. Participating Santa Cruz County schools keep all the proceeds from their ticket sales and use the money raised to fund important school programs.
“We are extremely proud of Drive for Schools,” said Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk spokesperson Kris Reyes. “The support from local businesses, the enthusiasm of teachers, administrators, and students make this unique fundraiser a smashing success every single year. To have exceeded $10 million raised in support of local schools shows how valuable this fundraiser has become.”
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 administer 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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