Quite a ride for high school activities
<p>Students check out a 2010 Toyota Tacoma similar to the one Parker Toyota is donating this year for the Coeur d'Alene High/Lake City High activities fundraiser. General Manager Mike White and Company President Jim Parker are shown with Connor Williams, Ryan Dunton, Cody Helbling, J.J. Soddard and T.J. Philp; in back are (standing) Rhianna Grossman and Hilary Ayers and (seated) Rachel Crawford and Sarah Jordan.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Any fundraiser that nets $662,420 in seven years is amazing. But when it impacts thousands of students and supports dozens of activities, it's astonishing.
Such a project is kicking off once again, thanks to the generosity and support of Parker Toyota.
Since 2003, the company has donated a vehicle annually as a fundraiser for District 271 high school activities. The first year, Coeur d'Alene High School was the sole beneficiary, but Lake City High was added in 2004. Any CHS or LCHS group can participate by selling tickets.
This year, some lucky person will be handed the keys to a 4-wheel drive 2010 Toyota Tacoma at the Oct. 29 football game between the two schools. From now 'til then, hundreds of students, representing teams, clubs, classes and activities will be selling tickets for $10 each, with 100 percent of the money going to their respective cause.
Principals John Brumley of Lake City and Randy Russell of Coeur d'Alene say it is by far the best fundraiser their schools have ever had.
"For a business to be as generous to both of our high schools is pretty amazing," Brumley said. "These monies have made the different in equipment, uniforms and travel for a lot of coaches and teams on both sides of the district."
"This unbelievable opportunity that Parker Toyota has given both schools is very unique," Russell said. He said that, besides the funds, the project brings the schools together, involves the community, and gives kids ownership in the success of their activities.
"It's all about the kids and how we can give back to the community," said the company's president, Jim Parker. "Kids do all the work; we just provide the vehicle to make it all possible."
That may be a bit of an understatement since he and general manager Mike White take the vehicle to numerous games and fundraisers, talk to various clubs about the fundraising opportunity, and have tickets for sale at their business.
Last year, the $113,000 raised helped art, aquaculture, academic clubs, biology, bowling, cheerleading, debate, drama, foreign language clubs and journalism !uc!2026 to mention a few, plus every sports program.
"Our partnerships with businesses, and in particular our automotive dealerships, is one of the things that makes Coeur d'Alene School District such a great place for students to come learn and participate," said Superintendent Hazel Bauman.
School groups will begin selling tickets today.