Letter of Appreciation
April 2009
Dear Guffey Community Members and Supporters,
As the administrator and principal of the Guffey School, I have had the special pleasure of meeting and working with many kind, caring, and generous people. Many of you reading this letter have wished to remain anonymous as a donor or supporter, and I, of course, respect those wishes. And yet, I feel it is time to "toot a horn" celebrating what people do for our school and our community because I'm so proud of the community where I live and work.
To those generous GIVERS out there, I want you to know that your good deeds have had a tremendously positive effect on our small, rural school and by extension the community where it is. I suppose it's natural for the school to become a "donation station" for folks who want to help others, especially in such a small town. Many have trusted that through our school their gifts will go to those who need it the most. During my time as principal, literally thousands of dollars worth of unsolicited goods and services have passed through my office to help those in need. For such a small, isolated place like Guffey, I find it remarkable that people have found so many ways to support our school and our children.
What many might not know is that just this year, many of our school families have been the recipients of grocery store gift cards, fresh and frozen game meat, pre-paid gas cards, cords of firewood, propane, and assistance with family electrical and phone bills. These things were, in part, made possible by a private grant from a member of our community.
During the holidays, the generosity continued with 4-Mile Church and Park County Sheriff Department each sponsoring several school families with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. There was also a ladies motorcycle club out of Colorado Springs who, for the THIRD straight year, sponsored some of our school families with Christmas gifts. Another Guffey community member, all on their own, sponsored an entire school family for the Christmas holiday. We also have a "Christmas Angel" who has, for the second year in a row, given every student a gift card for shopping at the Dollar Store during the holidays.
In addition to all of these examples of generosity, we have kind, caring people from all over the country who sponsor our school's snowboarding program by sending in their financial support. Most of these donors have sponsored the program for multiple years, helping to insure that it continues. The great number of friends and family members who supported the Guffey snowboarding kids during their Board-a-Thon and those who purchased fire-starters (which supports 4-H as well) was absolutely amazing. Because of this support, four snowboarders were able to receive full or partial scholarships to participate in the program. (They thank you.)
AND the school's pre-school program would not be possible without the support it receives from our community businesses who advertise on the poster, with the proceeds going directly to the program. Thank you community members who purchase pizzas during the pre-school fundraisers then gift them back to the school for our families in need.
Something many of you might not know is that our school has been receiving 100% of the proceeds from Jack Cahill's book, West of the Peak (now on sale at Rita's Place), since 1999. These funds help to support the school's free lunch program for low income families.
This year, our community lost a great man and friend to many, Elmer Olson. Elmer and his wife, Helen, thought so highly of our school and community that they asked donations in honor of Elmer's memory be made to our school. As a result, the school received much generosity and kindness from the Olson's friends and family.
There are also the many things that just get dropped off at the school by community members. It is not uncommon for me to find a bag of back-to-school supplies leaning against the back door or snacks for the classroom in the school's office. Everything from canned goods to socks and slippers to snowboarding equipment have anonymously appeared at our school for donation. Again, many THANKS!
Then there is the precious human gift of time, energy, and sharing of talents with our students. We have many, many volunteers who give of themselves working one-on-one with our kids, guest teaching in the classroom, leading or supporting a project group, serving on a committee or 8th grade team, heading up clothing drives, donating time back to the school to support our programs, inviting our school's students into their home, and welcoming us into their businesses. Additionally, our community turns out to support the kids with the Pet Parade in the fall and the Halloween Parade in October, not to mention any lemonade stand in the parking lot or cookie sale after a show that helps to support classroom pets. There are the annual school plays, presentations, and celebrations where our community members sometimes outnumber the parents.
Considering this overwhelming generosity and support from all directions, on behalf of myself and the Guffey School staff, I would like to express a most sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU. These unique, creative, unconditional gifts of friendship and kindness shown to our school and our school families truly make Guffey School a place "where community comes together for the education of its children."
Pam Moore
Guffey School Administrator/Principal