May 1, 2020

Greetings Scotts Valley Educational Foundation families, friends and supporters. My name is Robert Aldana, and I am the new President of this amazing organization. I hope that this message finds you healthy and safe, words that have never been more relevant than they are today.

As a parent with children in the school district, I can relate to the challenges not only we as parents are facing with the financial impacts and the new “teaching” curriculum, but also the challenges our children are facing with separation anxiety from their friends and the safe place and learning environment of their schools. I can assure you that our teachers and staff are feeling the loss as well.

The main messages I wanted to send to you today is to introduce you to the new board, re-introduce you to SVEF and offer support and comfort in this trying time.

First and foremost, welcome to our new board at SVEF. I am proud to present the outstanding lineup of local leaders and volunteers that are our board and members of our team as follows:

• President – Robert Aldana
• Vice-President – Brian Ruf
• Immediate Past President – Dennis Lane
• Honorary President – Derek Timm
• Secretary – Linda Benko
• Treasurer – Cheri Brownfield
• Assistant Treasurer – Wade Leishman
• Communications Director – Jaime Cottini
• Technology Director – Lori Gentile

As President of SVEF, I could not be more proud to have such a dynamic team. We have been blessed to receive donations from so many families, local businesses and organizations through the years, but we anticipate challenges ahead. With the loss of jobs, the temporary closing of some businesses and the financial impact that we are facing as a community, it is more important than ever for SVEF to not only understand the current situation, but do as much as we can to be a part of the solution moving forward.

Through the years, SVEF has supported our schools with numerous programs and grants totaling over $1,000,000 for critical needs for our schools not funded by the state, including counseling services for our students, libraries, music programs, technology and numerous training programs.

But we could not have done it without you and our local businesses, organizations and leaders in the community.

More than ever will we need to support our community, families and our children. More than ever will we work to reach out to the numerous businesses and organizations that have been so kind to us throughout the years with their support and give back that support.

Look for SVEF to continue to be active in the community in many ways including continuing our valuable alliances with previous supporters and creating new ones. We also know that, during the current pandemic and fallout some struggling businesses will not be able to support us as they have in the past; we will strive to turn the tables and offer them support by making you aware of who these businesses are, in hopes that, should need their type of service or product, that you consider them. Together we will push through!

I am excited about SVEF and hope that you are too. I also know that I have big shoes to fill starting with the incredible job that previous board members have done to take this organization to where it is. In addition, my full respect and admiration for a job well done goes to our Immediate Past President Dennis Lane along with the Honorary and Past President, Derek Timm.

We are excited to continue to work with our community and local businesses, and invite you to learn more about us by visiting our website at SVEF.net and our Facebook page at Scotts Valley Educational Foundation (SVEF). If you have the passion and energy to help us help our schools and kids, talk to us! We are always looking for creative and committed people to help us with our future projects, events and more.

Last, but certainly not least, if you are so inclined and have the ability to do so, consider donating to SVEF by clicking the donate button below. Whatever contributions you make will have a long lasting effect on our children and our community. Education is a major component of healthy communities.

I want you to know that I am always a phone call or email away should you ever want to discuss involvement with SVEF, and I am an open door to your thoughts about this wonderful organization.

Thank you so much for your time and past contributions that you have given. it never goes unnoticed. We care deeply and are thinking of you during these times and always.

All the best always!

ROBERT ALDANA
[email protected]

Scotts Valley Educational Foundation Tax ID# 77-0006718