South Gwinnett Cluster Foundation Seeking Support

The South Gwinnett Cluster Foundation is looking to recruit more parents to help further its mission to improve and empower area schools in Snellville and Loganville. 

The foundation provides funding for educational initiatives for students at: South Gwinnett High, Snellville Middle, Grace Snell Middle, Britt Elementary, Norton Elementary, Magill Elementary and Rosebud Elementary schools.  The group is in need of donations and volunteers to continue its work.

“While it has made an impact, the foundation has yet to get the parent participation needed to really get it off the ground,” said Greg Bender, executive director. “This is due, partly, because we have not been out front in telling our story, about the need for donations and of our contributions. Publicity will hopefully drive participation.”

Donations have previously come from Walton EMC and private citizens. Using the funds, the foundation has purchased new books for the social studies programs, provided subsidies for a reading program at Britt Elementary, supported a new sensory room project at Snellville Middle School, and purchased two Mimio bars to fulfill a request from Norton Elementary for assistance to enhance the classroom learning experience.

The Mimio bars purchased for Norton Elementary represent the latest advancement in classroom teaching aids. These lightweight, compact and highly portable devices provide the unique ability for instructors to conduct interactive lessons with students using an electronic whiteboard from any location in the classroom.

“Being able to support the schools is what the foundation is all about,” Bender said. “Early on we engaged school administrators and teachers. We got and have their support and participation. As a matter of fact, we get more fundraising events attendance from school representatives than we do from parents.”

Both Bender and his son are graduates of South Gwinnett High School. His son graduated the same year the foundation was established. Bender describes the foundation’s start as “the brain child” of Jimmy Norton. In 2007, Norton asked Bender to create the foundation and to serve as executive director. He wanted to pay tribute to his grandfather, R.L. Norton, and his dedication to southern Gwinnett County community and schools.

“When Jimmy asked, my son had already graduated, so I really didn’t have a dog in the hunt, but I wanted to help,” Bender said. “Jimmy knew that I knew this community and a lot of people in it. We started with about ten people on the board. At the height of the recession in 2008 we held our first fundraising event and managed to raise a net of $10,000.00.”

The main fundraising event is an annual silent auction. Although attendance is down recenrly, the silent auction, held in March 2010 at Summit Chase Country Club in Snellville, still generated $8,400 for the foundation.  Bender attributes the lower turn out to a bad economy and to a lack of parent participation.

“The foundation and its board would welcome fresh ideas, new strategies and passionate participation from parents and citizens that want to contribute to making a difference in south Gwinnett schools,” Bender said.

South Gwinnett Cluster Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information on the foundation, visit www.southgwinnettcluster.org.