Twenty degree temperatures, weekly snowstorms and grocery stores being pillaged for their milk and eggs has not kept the Indian Mills Home and School Association from staying busy in planning ways to raise money for the Shamong School District.
“We’re a fundraising organization that tries to purchase the items that aren’t in the school’s budget,” HSA president Barbara Weir said. “When there have been curriculum changes in the past, we’ve been able to step in and purchase things teachers need when the budget doesn’t have room to allow it.”
This past year, the HSA purchased a variety of items for the district ranging from new paint to an iPad for classroom use. The ability to be able to provide anything depends on the association’s ability to raise funds through various events.
“We host a lot of family friendly events. We hosted a Halloween party that was open to students and their entire family. We hosted a soccer tournament in December that allowed people of any skill level to join and have a good time,” Weir said. “The Harlem Wizards will do a show for us in May, which is exciting.”
Keeping in the theme of “family friendly,” the HSA is hosting a “Sweetheart Dance” on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Indian Mills School. Fathers and daughters as well as mothers and sons from the school’s first through fourth grades are invited for a night of dancing and refreshments.
Though the recent weather has few thinking about golf, HSA member Karen Sheairs is actively planning the group’s eighth annual golf outing, which will be held April 28 at Little Mill Country Club in Marlton. Donations are being accepted for basket raffles and a silent auction.
“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year,” Sheairs said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to have it last year, but we’re looking forward to it this year. It’s been a great event for us, typically raising thousands of dollars for the schools.”
Teachers put together a list of requests for the HSA before the school year and present it to the group. The association then meets to decide what requests it will be able to grant. The relationship with the district’s teachers is one the HSA values.
“It’s a cool relationship. They thank us in person, give us thank you cards. We’re just happy to be able to help them,” Weir said.
The benefits of its generosity are felt beyond just the teachers. Students and parents also reach out to the HSA and thank them for providing what they do.
“It’s a very cyclical relationship. The things we provide go to the teachers, but they ultimately are helping the students, which make them happy. If the students are happy then the parents are happy and on down the line,” Weir said. “It’s great to see the money we raise and the items we purchase go right back to the kids and the support of their education.”
For more information on the HSA or its upcoming events, visit www.ims.k12.nj.us/
