FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A revitalized education foundation is working for the benefit of 4,300 pupils in the Freehold Township K-8 School District.
The Freehold Township Education Foundation has been launched to support innovative initiatives in the school district, according to Kenneth J. Reilly, chairman of the foundation.
“From a small group of people with a vision, we have grown to a passionate, energetic board of trustees that are highly committed to the goal of enhancing education in Freehold Township,” he said.
The group’s motto is “It’s all about education. That’s the foundation.”
Reilly noted that a similar education foundation was chartered in Freehold Township in 1999 and functioned successfully for several years. The foundation raised money and provided grants to teachers for programs that were not provided in the regular school budget.
The new foundation is a communitybased, all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has been chartered to fund innovative programs in the K-8 schools.
According to Reilly, the foundation’s mission is “to be the premier supplemental funding source for innovative programs that will complement traditional school funding and promote engaged students in the Freehold Township School District.”
Funding will be targeted toward the environment, the arts, health, diversity and other areas that are evolving rapidly in the 21st century, initiatives that provide access to the sources that will allow students to shape the future, according to the foundation’s Internet website.
The foundation launched its fundraising efforts with a cocktail party on Nov. 13 that was designed to develop relationships with prospective donors. A spring gala will be held on March 24.
“The cocktail party was a tremendous success,” Reilly said. “Our charter donors represent the heart of our foundation. These are the people that are willing to step forward at the very beginning of our efforts and make a solid pledge to support the excellence of education in Freehold Township. We are incredibly thankful for their contributions and for the belief in the value of the foundation.”
Reilly said the reason he is involved with the foundation is because of his three children, who all attend township schools, and his belief that hard work and a good education are crucial for youngsters today.
“I didn’t think it was enough to just send a check, I wanted to get more personally involved to effect a better outcome for all of our township students,” he said.
Gail Reilly (no relation) is serving as the foundation’s vice chair. She said education foundations are becoming more common and explained that the group will use special fundraising events, corporate partnerships and major grant solicitation to promote a connection between private funding and public education.
“We stand behind our motto,” she said. “Everyone in the town benefits from our strong school system: businesses, property owners and, of course, the school families. Our dream is to create community partnerships where we work together to support and enhance the long history of educational excellence in Freehold Township for the good of all, especially our kids.”
A quote by the American anthropologist Margaret Mead that appears on the foundation’s website states the philosophy of foundation members: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”