Sweet Relief – AmeriCorps Sponsors Dessert Benefit Auction to Help Students Pay Extracurricular Fees

Federal Way – On Friday May 16, 6-9 p.m., the fourth annual “Sweets for Success” dessert benefit auction will be held at Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Avenue South, Federal Way.

This event raises money to assist Federal Way Public Schools secondary students who are unable to pay fees required to participate in sports, speech and debate, and art, and associated costs such as instrument rentals.  In Federal Way Public Schools, close to 50 percent of the student population is on free or reduced lunch, creating a significant need for a source of assistance for students who cannot pay. 

In recent years, state and federal school funding has dwindled, yet achievement expectations have risen. School districts have been forced to make tough choices in how to use limited resources. As a result, many districts have adopted a pay-to-play model for sports as well as charging fees for other activities.  Sports participation fees for secondary students in Federal Way alone amount to hundreds of dollars, limiting many students’ opportunities to participate in activities that can keep them engaged in school and allow them to explore healthy interests.

Hosted by the Federal Way AmeriCorps team, Sweets for Success has become an annual event. Last year’s event raised over $15,000. In the past three years, $28,000 has been raised.  This year’s event will feature entertainment and refreshments, as well as a silent auction.

The public is invited to stop by for a few minutes, or spend the whole evening enjoying sumptuous desserts and the auction action, while helping Federal Way students.

Auction item contributions are still welcome and can be sent to: Sweets for Success, C/O AmeriCorps, 1711 South Commons, Federal Way, WA 98003. Call 253-302-3208 or e-mail SweetsforSuccess@gmail.com for more information.

Federal Way AmeriCorps is a group of over 50 volunteers who tutor students throughout the Federal Way Public Schools. Their mission is to strengthen the Federal Way community through modeling an ethic of service providing: academic tutoring and civic leadership. For more information, visit http://www.fwps.org/dept/volunteer.

May 7, 2008