By Brigette Rambadt

A.P.E.F. Exec. Director

Syn-er-gy: the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations or agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Austin is a community strongly committed to having the best school system possible. When state funding does not provide adequate funds for the districts educational needs,

The cooperative interaction / “synergy” of the Austin community and the Austin Public Education Foundation is the best response to fund these needs and fulfil this commitment.

Since 1992 the Austin Public Education Foundation, through community cooperation, has awarded over $470,000 in grants to directly affect the opportunities for student success (K-12) in Austin’s public schools.

Recent Austin P.E.F.  educational funding has been provided by the:

Teachers and staff of District 492 through their “Pay it Forward” payroll contributions,

Darrell Erickson through his legacy gift,

Jeff and LeeAnn Ettinger, Richard Fawver, Angie Goetz, and the Hirsh Family Foundation through their direct gifts,

Friends of Mary Stevens Knowlton, Pat and Beth Schwab, Tom Berven, Pat Aldrich, Jim Fedson, Maureen Steenblock, and the AHS Class of ’57 through their memorial donations,

and these local businesses and individuals through their Austin P.E.F. / Packer Classic sponsorships:

Adam and Stephen Palen, Joel Schieck, Palmer Bus Service, Lori Marco and Bruce Quitmeyer, Randy Kramer and Matt Cano, Bellisio Foods, Bremer Bank, Diamond Ridge Printing, First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Home Federal Savings Bank, Edward Jones, Accentra Credit Union, AHS Alumni & Friends Association, Astrup/Sterling Drug Inc., A.T.S. & R. Architects, Culligan Water Systems, Greg Meyer, Harty Mechanical, Hill, Larson & Walth PA, Hormel Foods, Hormel Institute, Hy-Vee, Intellicents, Mayo Clinic Health System, McFarlannd Truck Lines, Medicap Pharmacy, Overby Orthodontics, Paragon Printing, Potach & Mitchell Dental Clinic, Randy Bailey, Tom Wuertz, Worlein Funeral Home, Y Waste Removal, Ken Alston, Austin YMCA, Karen Baldridge, Steve Clouse, Friends of the Hormel Nature Center, Don Fox, Hormel Historic Home, Games People Play, Golden Tress Salon & Day Spa, DJ Gorman, Matchbox Children’s Theatre, Ryan Stanley, Rydjor Bike Shop, Bill Spitzer, Stuggart Tan & Travel, Mark Winkels and Peggy Young.

Thank you all, for your combined effort in supporting educational excellence in Austin Public Schools, with your donation to the Austin P.E.F. this year. And thank you to all the charitable donors since 1990, who have contributed to the Austin P.E.F.’s mission to enrich learning in Austin Public Schools!  Because of this community commitment, the 26th annual Austin Public Education Foundation Grants will be awarded throughout the district in April. These Austin P.E.F. grants provide the resources to fund teacher innovation and meet student needs through equipment and supplies, new technology and formative programs and projects.

Support educational opportunities for the students of Austin Public Schools with a contribution to the Austin Public Education Foundation: on-line through Paypal, through a direct gift, a legacy gift, a scholarship fund, a “Floor on the Wall” memorial gift plaque or your time and resources.
If you are interested in learning more about supporting education in Austin with the Austin Public Education Foundation, visit our website at: www.apefoundation-ahsalumni.org Email: Brigette.rambadt@austin.k12.mn.us Phone: 507-460-1938.