What is CEF?

The Creekside Educational Foundation (CEF) was founded in 2000 and is a tax-exempt non-profit organization (Tax ID# 33-0926538) dedicated to providing additional educational resources to students and teachers at Creekside. CEF is made up of a group of parents and staff at Creekside that work together with the principal to identify school and staff needs that are not met by other means (i.e., school budget, outside the scope of PTA work, etc.). CEF was established to raise additional funds to be able to explore and expand the quality of education for all Creekside students. This is especially important because of all the recent budget cuts. CEF funds can be used on short-term or long-term projects that benefit the school and education.

What is the difference between PTA and CEF?

The Creekside PTA provides programs and activities that enhance the educational experience and help build community at our school. For example, PTA supports programs such as Assemblies, Yearbook, School Dances and Carnival. The PTA holds a membership drive and raises funds throughout the year to supports these programs. CEF can fund specialist's salaries out of monies raised, most notably our current PE aids. The PTA and CEF work closely together to ensure that program fundraising efforts do not conflict.

How does CEF raise funds?

CEF funds are raised through creative initiatives, such as the annual school Monte Carlo Night, new events such as the Creekside "Not so scary" Halloween Party , All Creekside CEF Soccer Tournament, Recycling, Target, Wamoola, Friday Coffee Sales, e-Scrip, ClubCo, Cartridges for Kids programs, and in addition are supplemented by donations from local businesses and individuals. These funds have equipped Creekside with computer hardware, software, supplies, specialists, and technology programs that would not have been available through school channels.

How can YOU help CEF?

Many of the CEF fundraising events require simple, logistically easy tasks to be performed that contribute to the success of the event. Please click on the VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES or EVENTS page to see where you can help out.

You may be surprised just how easy it is to help Creekside without a significant time commitment by doing something such as confirming Creekside Connections directory listings, bringing Halloween decorations, providing a fog machine/strobe light, being a roaming photographer at an event, getting soccer balls, finding soccer nets, being a score keeper, referee or coach, helping to set up for Monte Carlo Night on event day, putting up banners, helping to store and transmit Monte Carlo Night baskets and much more!

We can always use help, even if it is just for an hour or two, with general Foundation activities like copying, mailing, decorating, you name it! We'd love to have you as part of our team for any minutes that you can spare!

If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, or would like to discuss any other ways that you can help with this very rewarding effort, please contact Patrick Ward at pward1@san.rr.com or any member listed on the CEF web site.

You can also make a tax deductible donation using our taxpayer ID number - 33-0926538 by clicking on the SPONSOR page

Many places of business provide for matching contributions, so please check with your employer to see if they participate in a gift program. See our SPONSOR page for more details.