Kiddo! Posts Fundraising Thermometers

To hear Executive Director Trisha Garlock tell it, while the four thermometer signs that went up around town this week are the familiar sign of her organization's push for its annual fundraising goal, the stakes have never been higher.

The faces a projected for 2012-2013, on top of a $700,000 projected deficit this school year, and is looking at every option to combat it: cuts, a parcel tax increase and ratcheting up its ongoing dependance on organizations like Kiddo and the PTA.

Kiddo's 2010-2011 campaign slightly exceeded its goal of raising $2.2 million, and the group is looking to raise $2.4 million this year. The thermometer signs traditionally go up around this time of year as the organization makes its final fundraising push.

The group has raised $1.7 million through private donations and events like its golf tournament and spring gala, which occur every other year and alternate, as well as an additional $190,000 from local businesses. Garlock said she hopes the thermometers incite donations of more than $700,000 that the group needs to meet its goal of $2.2 million.

“Our local schools are facing a huge challenge with unprecedented enrollment growth and decreased funding from both property taxes and state funding,” Garlock said. “In just the past three years, enrollment has grown by 468 students and the state has cut funding by more than $3 million. We need everyone’s support to help us meet our fundraising goal to maintain core artsprograms and classroom support.”

Kiddo!'s annual campaign funds all of the 's art, music, dance, drama and poetry programs, as well as some technology initiatives and mini-grants to support innovative teaching in the classroom.

The campaign concludes Dec. 31, but the thermometers will stay up through January with a message thanking local residents and businesses for their contributions.