Julie and Matt Harelson, parents of three Aviara Oaks elementary and middle school children, have made a gift of $50,000.00 to the Friends of Aviara Middle & Elementary Schools Foundation (FAME). Their generous gift is the largest single donation to the Foundation in its four year history.
The Harelson's generous donation was given specifically to revamp the middle school computer lab, and has resulted in 40 new computers. In recognition of their generosity, the lab has been named the Briskin-Harelson Computer Lab. In addition to the one-time gift, the Harelsons plan to donate additional funds during the next ten years to maintain the hardware and to continue to update the software. The new Lab was also aesthetically redesigned to create an optimum learning environment.
"Private philanthropy is critical to the future of Aviara Oaks Middle and Elementary schools, and to all public schools in California," said Ruthann Pearlman, one of the founding directors of the FAME Foundation Board. "We are grateful to the Harlesons for giving this leadership gift which will help ensure that the studens' continuing educational and technological needs will be met."
The Harelson's have a history of philanthropy at our schools. In previous years, through generous donations and working with community members, they were instrumental in funding the new kindergarten and upper grade playgrounds at the elementary school. In addition, Julie Harelson is now serving on the Foundation Board and is working with others to build an endowment so that the needs of future generations of Aviara Oaks students can be met.
"Considering the educational experience our children continue to receive normally requires supporting the costs of a private school education, we feel this is the least we can do to give back to the school and teachers that are impacting the lives of our three girls and other children in our community," said Matt Harelson.
Gifts such as the Harelsons' have allowed FAME to further its mission of building and maintaining the educational needs of nearly 2,000 students. "We hope the Harelson family's philanthropic spirit will continue to inspire others to support our efforts," said Jacquee Renna, another Foundation Board member and mother of three Aviara Oaks middle and elementary school students.
For more information regarding how to support the Friends of Aviara Oaks Middle & Elementary Schools, please contact Jacquee Renna at jmrenna@msn.com or by phone at 760-845-2170.
