Four local organizations donate nearly $14,000 combined to Yelm Community Schools

The generosity of the greater Yelm region was once again on display during a Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24, as the board of directors unanimously approved the near $14,000 donation to the district from four local organizations.

Specifically, YHS Connects, the official 501(c)(3) non-profit booster club for Yelm High School, donated $8,837.67 to the district toward the YHS band department.

Additionally, the Yelm Community Education Foundation donated $650.28 toward the YHS Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. Team Shelby Pacific Northwest (PNW) Chapter also donated to the YHS FFA chapter in the amount of $1,000.

Lastly, Ryan Betz, Olympia Federal Savings executive vice president, attended the meeting last Thursday to present a donation to YCS. He was introduced by YCS Director of Operations, Teri Melone.

“A couple years ago, I think we came and announced that we started a new debit card program with the Yelm High School logo on there. We have four different options. Every time you use those debit cards, money goes back to the school,” Betz said. “Once a year, we take all of our customer’s debit card transactions and we add that to the total. This year, I think we’ve raised right around $3,500 with those efforts to go right back to the schools to support student activities and the needs that fit best”

He added that Olympia Federal Savings, also known as OlyFed throughout the region, has done a number of partnerships with YCS through this program and has even raised money outside of it.

Betz noted it’s been great working with the team at YCS, including Melone and YCS Superintendent Chris Woods.

“For us, it’s more than just raising money for student activities,” Betz said. “It’s more about ‘how do we help students get access to great financial education so when they’re coming out of school they have an understanding of how money works?’” Betz said. “We’ve been part of a lot of the programs that have taken place at the high school and it’s been a wonderful opportunity for our employees to connect with students in meaningful ways.”

Two school board members, Bill Hauss and Casey Shaw, shared their appreciation to Olympia Federal Savings and other groups that donated to the district.

“Thank you Olympia Federal for your donation,” Hauss said.

Shaw added, “YHS Connects, thank you so much. OlyFed, thank you so much. The generosity that’s in this community and amongst this community is something, while we’re having these hard conversations, it’s easy to get lost. But I’d like to highlight that.”