2024-25 LEAP Campaign Success & Award Winners
MEDIA CONTACT
Julie Anderson Washburn, Foundation Executive Director PH: 803.821.1008
Megan Moore, Lexington District One Communications Director PH: 803.821.1152
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2024, LEXINGTON, S.C. — Annually as our school year kicks off, the Lexington one Educational Foundation also launches its internal employee giving program, the LEAP Campaign. Funded solely by donations from caring Lexington District One employees, this worthwhile endeavor enables dedicated teachers, staff and administrators the chance to give back to Lexington County School District One.
LEAP funds assist our district in a number of extremely important ways. First, the LEAP Emergency Fund offers financial assistance and/or in-kind services to district students and employees who are experiencing a crisis and need temporary help to get through a challenging time. TheEmergency fund also provides Higher Education Support Grants for graduating seniors who are going to college and have significant financial need; International Teacher Grants to aid new teachers from other countries as they get settled in the USA; and Health Fund Grants to support student health needs with purchases like four spot vision screeners for our Lexington One nurses to quickly and efficiently test thousands of students annually for vision problems.
Second, the foundation’s LEAP Education Fund continues to strongly support literacy efforts in Lexington District One via our Bucks for Books Grants and has invested more than $186,050 in books in our district over the last eight years. The LEAP Education fund has also supported mathematical literacy via a $33,000 Counting Collections Mathematics Grant benefiting all K-2 students and STEM learning via a variety of STEM grants to Lexington District One teachers and schools.
We are so thankful for our amazing Lexington District One employees who donated to the Educational Foundation’s 2024-25 LEAP Campaign! Almost 2,100 individuals contributed this year and here are the financial results:
$77,733.56 Lexington Emergency Assistance Plan Total contributions
$45,812.00 Lexington Education Assistance Plan Total contributions
$123,545.56 LEAP CAMPAIGN TOTAL FUNDS RAISED
Congratulations also to the following schools and department for having the highest percentages of increase in giving, when comparing their 2024-25 LEAP Campaign results to the previous year’s campaign.
TOP SCHOOLS/DEPARTMENTS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
1st – Rocky Creek Elementary School raised $2,496 (+40%) – Principal Michelle Smith, LEAP Representatives Krysten Sidaway and Paige Bowles
2nd – White Knoll Elementary School raised $2,151 (+32%) – Principal Elizabeth Whisennant, LEAP Representatives Tamika Del Valle and Angela Rowe
3rd – Deerfield Elementary School raised $3,888.40 (+32%) – Principal Stephanie Taylor, LEAP Representatives Elizabeth Tester and Pam Hutchinson
MIDDLE SCHOOL
White Knoll Middle School raised $3,372 (+42%) – Principal Don Hardie, LEAP Representatives Debra Adams and Neelam Verma
HIGH SCHOOL
Gilbert High School raised $3,342 (+18%) – Principal David Dixon, LEAP Representatives Kelsey Covell and Jessica Dill
SUPPORT SERVICES – DISTRICT STAFF
Maintenance Department raised $2,384.16 (+109%) – Director Lee Cousins, LEAP Representative Adrianne Bazemore
Many thanks to everyone in Lexington County School District One who donated to this worthwhile campaign. The outstanding level of dedication of Lexington One family members in helping others is obvious through their support of the LEAP Campaign! This generosity will make a positive difference in the lives of many students and families in Lexington One!
