Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate or help by joining our statewide effort!

 

Welcome to the 2008 Haas Foundation Annual Campaign!  Have you ever wondered what makes a non-profit organization unique - compelling - magical - different? My answer is simple. It is the people who are involved that make an organization special. The Haas Foundation is, in fact, a special organization.

 

Building capacity for schools to meet the needs of students is our goal.  In the schools we partner with Washington State secondary school personnel to administer micro-grants for students' immediate needs - that's right, no grant applications for students to fill out and no waiting - just caring adults in schools who have been empowered to help.  Haas grants to schools range from $200 to $5,000 and school grants from the Haas Fund average from $25 to $50 per student, depending on need.

 

This year's "Give Secondary Students a Chance! " campaign will raise money for the Haas Challenge Matching Grants to schools, which provide up to an additional one-half of schools' yearly grant amount, based on local fundraising efforts. Separately, we encourage schools to raise awareness about the needs of students in their communities and raise funds locally that, in fact, stay local. Following this effort to raise funding for our annual appeal we will be launching an "Adopt-a-school" campaign during the month of April.  Right now our focus is to raise awareness and funding for our challenge grant.   

 

2008 has been an exciting year for us - our 45th year of service.  As 2009 approaches and we kick off our Annual Campaign, our goals are as ambitious as ever - and the need is strong.  Join us in helping to serve the students of Washington State. To get a better idea of how these funds are used click here:
http://www.haasfoundation.org/code_eligibility.asp

 

Donating through this site is simple, fast, and totally secure - and you'll know that your funds will be put to good use helping the immediate needs of 6th-12th grade students in Washington State.

 

I hope you will consider getting involved with us! If I can answer any questions please connect with me. My contact information is below.

 

Heath Tayon

Counselor

Mount Vernon High School

htayon@mv.k12.wa.us

 

 

Personal Story

When I became Mount Vernon High School’s Saul Haas Fund Coordinator in 1996 I quickly realized I was a part of something very special.  To assist students in need without the dilemma of wasting time doing mounds of paperwork is out of the ordinary. The support ranges from helping a student buy a graphing calculator for their math class, to purchasing basketball shoes for the upcoming season, and even clothing them in a warm winter coat.  It’s the immediate response to our students' needs that makes this so gratifying.  Not only do I consider myself lucky to be the school coordinator, but I consider myself lucky to work with an administration and faculty that believes in the Haas Foundation mission as much as I do.  The school-wide support of the Saul Haas Fund is something I’m very proud to be a part of.  

 

I once compared being the Saul Haas Fund Coordinator to being Santa Claus.  However, I have it better than Santa.  While he only gives presents once a year, I am privileged to give all year long. And whereas he has to leave while the kids sleep, I witness the grateful expressions on their faces.  Who could ask for more?