Skechers Friendship 2019 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

Skechers Friendship 2019 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation 

Palos Verdes homes owners can enjoy and support a friendship walk for the Peninsula Education Foundation, which is seeking donations to support our local Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.  The primary source of income for most public school districts in California, including the PVPUSD, is from the State.  However, State support has declined since 2007-08.  The most stable and reliable funding source in recent years has been local revenue from the Peninsula Education Foundation.  This year the foundation will be celebrating their 40th year anniversary.  A lot has changed in the past years, but the income from Peninsula Education Foundation has allowed PVPUSD to continue providing students the programs and services needed for their success in college and/or the workplace.

The Peninsula Education Foundation board of trustees has yet to set its fundraising goal for this year (the fundraising goal for last year was $3,100,000).  Currently, a large portion ($1.5 million) of the pledge is allocated to saving teachers’ jobs, with the remaining pledge balance supporting elementary choral and instrumental music; library aides; PE for grades K- 5; STEM for elementary grades 4-5, intermediate & high school safe schools counselors, College Career Center staff and STEM programs for robotics and engineering called PVIT and SMERT.  Recently, the PEF Board voted to allocate funding for the development of a digital citizenship program at the intermediate level and the creation of  Parent University to provide technology training and resources to access important district and student information/resources.

Palos Verdes homes owners have a wonderful opportunity to support our schools by registering for The Pier To Pier Friendship Walk which will be held Sunday, October 27, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. (check-in is at 8:00 a.m.).  Early check in for the walk takes place on Friday, October 25, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 26th, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at any of the local Skechers stores located in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria, Torrance Del Amo Mall or the Promenade on the Peninsula.  The cost of the walk is $30 for early check in, or $35 on the day of the walk with the entire fee going directly to our schools.  This 3.5 mile walk begins at Manhattan Beach Pier and you can sign up either as walker or “virtual walker” and designate Palos Verdes Education Foundation as your charity of choice.  Last year our schools received a check for $247,000 from Skechers and had over 4,000 participants.  This year they hope to have more participants and increase the money going to our schools.  Every participant receives a tee shirt and gift bag.  And if you stay until noon, you can join in the famous pumpkin races.  It’s easy to register online at www.skechersfriendshipwalk.com and click on the “register to walk button.”