Coronado Community Sings with One Voice
CSF Telethon Aims to Provide Critical Funding at Time of Statewide Budget Cuts
 
California, February 28, 2008 - The fundraising goal of the 20th Annual Telethon presented by Time Warner Cable has taken on new significance in light of drastic budget cuts forecast for the next school year from Sacramento.  The impact of this shortfall for 2008-09, estimated at more than $1.2 million for the Coronado Unified School District, nearly equals the $1.5 million painfully cut from the district budget over the last five years in order to move our schools out of a deficit spending mode. 

Representing the Class of 2008 at the Telethon as Senior Hosts are (l to r) Becka Runyon, Kyle Pokorny, Andrea Arendsee, Lauren Gensler and Kyle Brown. (Photo by Kathleen Wakefield)

The Coronado Schools Foundation (CSF) is hoping to help bridge the gap with funds raised at this year’s Telethon airing live on Wednesday, March 12th from 5-9PM.  “The proposed budget cuts will affect the students, teachers, the schools as a whole, and ultimately, the community. With this in mind, we are working very hard to motivate the entire community to pull together to raise the funds necessary to maintain academic excellence throughout the district.” commented Terry Farrelly, Telethon Chair.

The strength of community spirit is evident from the top all the way down to the grass roots. Our business partners provide financial support as well as technical expertise. “In particular, we would not be able to produce a show of such high caliber without the backing of Time Warner Cable, and, in particular, Bill Putnam, the show’s producer for the 19th year,” says CSF Executive Director Patty Cowan. Many members of the local community, including school board members, city council members and various civic groups also volunteer to man the phone banks and process donations.

Our schools have also gotten behind this year’s theme “Coronado Idol” which, for the first time, will be broadcast live from the Coronado High School Theatre. “The best part about our new venue is the full sized stage which allows even bigger and better acts to perform live on the night. We have over 30 acts vying for the title of Coronado Idol, and, for the first time in Telethon history, we have the entire third grade performing in one act – that’s 146 children!” commented Kathleen Wakefield, CSF event manager.  In total, over 650 will be performing live with another 500 performing in taped acts. Senior hosts Andrea Arendsee, Kyle Brown, Lauren Gensler, Kyle Pokorny and Becka Runyon will be reporting from “The Every Other Daily Show” newsdesk and various field locations.

Not to be outshone, our teachers are also pulling out all the stops to help us raise much needed funds. Several faculty members have formed a band which will be performing on March 12th. There will also be some surprise “celebrity guests” (well-loved teachers) performing for your enjoyment. In addition, teachers have been volunteering in droves to wait tables and serve ice cream down at Beach-n-Diner. Village Lead Teacher Claudia Gallant points out, “More than anyone, Coronado teachers understand the impact of funding cuts on our classrooms. For this reason, our teachers are thrilled to be part of the solution by supporting the Telethon.”

The Telethon will air live on TWC’s Channel 19. Pre-pledges to the Telethon are welcome at 437 8059 or at csfkids.org. For more information or to volunteer on the night, please contact Kathleen Wakefield at kwakefield@coronado.k12.ca.us.

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