The mission of the Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation, a component fund of the Inland Empire Community Foundation, is to provide scholarships to college bound LEUSD students. Providing books to elementary age students, is a program started in 2012. The Foundation was created in honor of former LEUSD Superintendent Dr. Sharron Lindsay, who envisioned it as a lasting way for the community to help support students of all abilities to pursue a college education. Fundraising activities for scholarships include an annual golf tournament in April and partnerships with local businesses.
LEVEF 2023 Scholarship Winners
Elsinore High School
Katelyn Dwelley
Jonathan Woodroof
Angie Villasenor Fernandez – Sharron Lindsay Recipient
Lakeshore High School
Trinity Bey
Jayden Galindo
Quang Chau – Stephen E. Killiany, Jr. Recipient
Temescal Canyon High School
Morgan Wagoner
Savannah Abdul
Ortega High School
Evelin Gomez
NEW BOOKS BRING SMILES TO STUDENTS IN THE HOLY FIRE BURN AREA
Withrow is one of the most heavily impacted schools in the Holy burn scar area, so students have had anything but a normal school year. To avoid the risk of mud and debris flow during inclement weather, Withrow Elementary must be closed each time mandatory evacuation orders are put into effect—a disruption and loss of 10 instructional days since the Holy Fire postponed the school start.
According to LEVEF president Kevin Pape, “We chose Withrow to kick off our First Book Program to give students a needed lift. We were fortunate Dr. Judy White, Riverside County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools, could join us to see smiles first hand, accompanied by LEUSD Superintendent Dr. Doug Kimberly.” Over 500 free books were distributed in 20 classrooms on February 6th.
FOND FAREWELL TO OUR LEUSD REPRESENTATIVE
We’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to Mark Dennis who has been our LEUSD Representative for many years and has been an integral asset within our organization. Mark’s duties have been to represent the school district and he went above and beyond our expectations. He has taken care of all PR within the district for all fundraising as well as assisting us in promoting those students who were awarded scholarships, assisted in updating our website and offered his services as photographer. He always has his finger on the pulse of the district and we have benefitted from his guidance immensely. We wish him well as he embarks on retirement and we want him to know that while we will welcome his replacement with open arms, we will miss him greatly.
THANK YOU ELKS FOR THE GRATITUDE GRANT
In 2020, the Elks awarded the LEVEF with enough to purchase 2,700 books. This donation, along with their past contributions and those of other local businesses to date, have given us the opportunity to pass out approx 16,000 books to younger readers. In 2020 we distributed hundreds of books to schools in early January but were halted by the Coronavirus. We will complete our distribution when social restrictions allow at local family events. If you see our booth at a local event in 2021, come up and pick out a book for your child or to give to someone special in your life. We are forever grateful for the Elks partnership and look forward to working with them again.
2021 PLEDGE DRIVE
We are excited to start a new venture in fundraising and are inviting businesses and local leaders within our community to assist us financially so that we might continue to provide much needed scholarships to deserving seniors within the LEUSD. Our Pledge Drive will focus on contributing to our Scholarship Fund or contributing as a direct Scholarship Sponsor. Please look for the Pledge Drive Form if you are interested in becoming a Scholarship Sponsor. The need for help among those attending college after High School graduation is always there and while we are unsure of hosting a fundraising event with success, we appreciate the direct support to our Scholarship Fund.
2021 GOLF TOURNAMENT
If you’re looking for a great way to spend some dollars that have tax benefits and offers a great weekend respite, look no further than our Golf Tournament. We have tentatively set the date of April 24, 2021 for our next tournament. If you are interested in being part of this event as a sponsor, please remember that some levels of sponsorship include player registrations so it’s a win -win! Our sponsorship levels range from $100 to $3,000 so there’s a giving level for every budget. If you are interested in participation, the fee is $130 per player. We do offer a discount if you register a foursome. Contact us and we’ll get back to you with sponsorship forms and player registration information. Stay tuned and visit our website in January 2021 for more details about the Tournament as we see how the guidelines for events unfold due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
SANTA ROSA PLATEAU FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
We are proud to have partnered with the Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation in offering a one thousand dollar scholarship to a deserving student who plans to study in environmental science . We are scheduled to offer one scholarship in 2021 and another in 2022. If you are a high school senior within the LEUSD and plan this course of study, ask your counselor for the LEVEF application.
BRINGING JOY TO HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN
Recently, Supervisor Kevin Jeffries hosted a Santa at the Village event at the new community center located on the old Butterfield school site in the county area of Lakeland Village. Cars with families lined up for the drive thru event to see live penguins, enjoy holiday giving from local organizations and of course Santa made an appearance. We all practiced safe social distancing but the spirit of the season was front and center. The LEVEF participated with Directors Judy Guglielmana, Jeanie Corral and Kevin Pape handing out hundreds of books to local kids. We have to thank the Elks organization for making it possible to gift children with books through their Gratitude Grant program.
About LEVEF
Established in 2007, The Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation (LEVEF) Endowment Fund was created in honor of former LEUSD Superintendent Dr. Sharron Lindsay, who envisioned it as a lasting way for the community to help support students of all abilities to pursue a college education.
We are also proud of our new program that provides books to elementary age students.
Our next big step starting in Fall of 2023/24 is supplemental funding for enrichment programs that will provide educational opportunities, including academic, artistic, vocational and athletic needs.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kevin Pape, Chairman
(951) 609-7525
DOWNLOAD OUR BY LAWS
Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation
Attn: Kevin Pape, Chairman
914 Dolly Drive
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530-7200
LEVEF Tax ID: 330748536
The Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation is proudly affiliated with the Inland Empire Community Foundation.
The mission of the Inland Empire Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves.