A Warm Welcome to Fall!
Friends of PEF,
Welcome Fall!
We have lots to share in this newsletter, starting with a TREMENDOUS thank you to our event partners, donors, attendees, and pledgers at the 2024 PEF BASH: MISSION POSSIBLE on Saturday, September 7th. Our mission that evening was clear: to continue our unwavering commitment to FUND THE FUTURE by raising much-needed support for the PEF Impact Grant Program, which directly benefits the 12,000+ TK-12 students in our community. Event details and photos are included below.
This month of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will provide PEF with several community engagement opportunities. Check out the Recess section and add the dates to your calendar Plus, we are planning PEF’s Live Theater Program in mid-December with two performances of the classic tale “A Christmas Carol.” We offer this program FREE to local Kindergarten-3rd grade classes. If your business is interested in sponsoring this event, contact our office for a customized partnership proposal.
Your friends at PEF,
Maureen, Katy & Sharon
Mission Accomplished: 2024 PEF BASH Success
2024 BASH RECAP: A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible BASH sponsors, everyone who attended, donated, or bid on our silent, online, and live auctions, and our entire community for making our BASH 2024: Mission Possible a success! Your unwavering support helps turn dreams into reality for our community's students, educators, and parents.
This year’s BASH theme—"Mission Possible"—celebrated the transformative power of education. The night was full of excitement and generosity, with an electric performance by Pop Rocks, thrilling raffles, and a record-breaking silent auction.
Our annual gala is over, but the school year has just begun… at the heart of the event was the launch of PEF’s Fund the Future campaign. Thanks to your support, we're already halfway to our annual $300,000 goal. By working together, we empower over 12,000 students through programs that enhance literacy, teach robotics, connect kids with nature, and so much more.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
Join the Fun: Upcoming Community Events
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Here are some events where you can learn more about PEF, support our mission, and also
spot our staff & board members out and about in the community:
- October 16th: Executive Director Maureen Highland will share her career journey at the PAC Idea Lounge event at the Petaluma Art Center. Don't miss her inspiring talk about how her work with PEF!
- October 17th: PEF Board Member Bus Tour, our annual trek to see funded grants in action and hear directly from teachers and students about the impact of the programs PEF provides to support student learning. Watch for us and wave as we ride around town on a big yellow school bus!
- October 29th: Ribbon Cutting & Community Open House for our new office. Please celebrate with us and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce during
this social event! All are welcome to stop by and say
hello. - October 31st: Join the Petaluma Downtown Association Trick or Treat Trail -
both PEF's new office and our downtown Alphabet Soup Stores and will hand out treats to
the little ones enjoying some afternoon Halloween fun.
Educator Corner: PEF Impact Grant Updates
PEF IMPACT GRANT UPDATE Thank you to all the educators who applied for the 2024-25 PEF Impact Grants this week. We’re reviewing your thoughtful applications and are excited to announce the awardees in November. This year, the Foundation received 30 grant requests. Your dedication to enhancing student learning inspires us all.
COME VISIT PEF!
Recently, McNear Elementary teachers took a field trip to our new office, where we had the pleasure of meeting them in person, showcasing PEF programs, and sharing resources to support their incredible dedication to our local students.
Interested in a similar visit for your school?
We are also happy to visit your campus to share our news and learn more about your school community. Give us a call to schedule a visit!
SIGN YOUR CLASS UP FOR PEF'S LIVE THEATER PROGRAM
On Thursday, December 12th, we will host a PEF Live Theater performance of the classic "A Christmas Carol." This annual program is free to Petaluma area elementary school students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. It includes two morning performances and a Q&A session with the actors after each show.
Teachers: Reservations are required, contact PEF to sign up your class.
Get Ready for a Spooktacular Halloween at Alphabet Soup
Alphabet Soup Store has everything you need to dress and decorate for a Spooktacular Halloween and Holiday Season! New inventory is being added daily, so don't wait—come visit us and see all the unique treasures we offer.
On Sunday, October 6th, we hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party to honor the dedicated individuals who keep our Alphabet Soup stores running! Volunteers help with everything from sorting donations to assisting customers, and we couldn't do it without them. The photo to the right was taken earlier this year at the Petaluma Argus-Courier People's Choice Awards event, where our stores were honored in the Best Consignment/Thrift Store category.
Are you interested in joining the team? Volunteering at Alphabet Soup is a great way to give back to the community, and we always welcome more hands. Please contact our store manager, Colleen Reitzel, to learn more about our volunteer opportunities. Let's continue to support local education through Alphabet Soup Stores!