San Ramon Students Need You

Last weekend, Dan and I spent a festive occasion together that many parents in the San Ramon Valley experience — school auction galas!

We attended 's Oscar-themed dinner auction. About 150 parents and community members attended this event, held for the first time at Crow Canyon Country Club. There were silent auction tables, dinner, a live auction, dancing, and even casino games. 

As I sat at our table and watched the live auction bidding, though, something happened within me. One item, being principal for the day, raised only one-third of what it brought in last year. I kept thinking to myself, ‘This is for our kids!’ I sat back and watched as other live items were auctioned off, and I tallied the proceeds in my own auction booklet.  When the live auction was done, only about $20,000 was raised. 

Now, I know that might seem like a lot, but when you factor in all that it pays for, it is not nearly enough for children at Bollinger, my own children and their classmates. The money raised from auctions pays for the school librarian, the computer lab teacher, classroom aides, drama, art and hopefully technology put into the hands of children. How can this become reality, though, when so little was raised?

Over the past several weeks, I have been doing my part! I have been gathering donations that will be used in Bollinger Canyon Elementary’s upcoming on-line auction, held March 12-20. Visit http://bces-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com/ to access the auction when it is underway, so you can help fund necessary programs for our kids. Just by giving my time, I have amassed almost 30 donations in just a matter of a few weeks energy and my time.

Time is something many of us have to give, even if we can't donate all the money to schools that we’d like to. Instead of watching television at night, send letters to local businesses asking for donations, or even easier, send e-mails. While kids are at school, actively go out and visit businesses, with a donation form in hand. Even easier, when you go out to dinner, get your haircut, or even get your nails done, carry a donation form with you and leave it with the business you frequent!

Think about this: If each parent at a school got just one or two donations from businesses they visit, the amount of donations would double or triple, and the funds raised would be astronomical!

While you are thinking, there are several schools that have online auctions running right now, too. has about 400 items for sale, from birthday parties to camps to haircuts, to amazing vacations. Not only can you get a great deal, but also all of the money raised goes directly to students. The auction is open until Feb. 29. Visit to view the auction and bid: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/disneyelementaryscho/catalog/view.

We really can make a difference for the education of children. Whether that means we get donations, we donate as local business owners, or we browse auction items and bid, what we put into our schools means children reap the rewards.