RBEF Launches Annual Donor Drive

The Redondo Beach Educational Foundation launched its annual donor drive last week, seeking to raise enough money to make up for what Redondo schools are losing with state reductions in funding.

According to a news release from the RBEF, if each family in the donates $360, there would be "no need for staff or programming cuts."

"A great public education is just not free anymore," said Brad Serkin, RBEF president, in a statement released Monday. "Some can argue they already give in the form of their taxes, but with the state withholding more and more—funding is going to have to come either in the form of an annual donor drive or eventually through a parcel tax like many of our surrounding cities have in place."

Money donated to the RBEF helps with programs and initiatives across the district, and also provides money for some staff positions.

"In the past, we have saved staff positions and vital programming," said RBEF Vice President Vicky Gallion in an email to Patch.

To encourage families to donate to the RBEF, the foundation is running a school competition. The top four schools with the largest participation numbers will receive cash grants. Additionally, the school that collects the largest amount of money each week will receive an iPad.

The fundraising drive ends April 6.