An independent, non-profit organization has been formed to provide supplemental funding to support students, teachers and school administrators of the Cole R-1 School District.
The Russellville School Foundation will award grants to fund educational projects and school activities that may not be covered otherwise, due to the district's limited financial resources.
The mission is: "To support the academic excellence of the Cole R-1 School District by providing learning opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators through private donations and gifts."
The vision is: "To enhance learning opportunities for the students of the Cole R-1 School District."
The foundation is independent of the Board of Education. However, the school board may present needs to the foundation board, which will make the decision.
Tax-deductible donations may be made in any amount. A donor can be an individual, couple, alumni, community citizens or businesses.
Donations also may be given in memory of or to honor someone special.
Donors also may designate how they want their donations to be used, such as academics, arts, athletics, band and music, unrestricted or another preferred designation.
The Russellville School Foundation Board of Directors are: Larry Bishop, president; Dan Linhardt, vice president; Kathy Koestner, secretary/treasurer; and members Don Fahrni and Judy Price.
To get started, the foundation is seeking 50 donors to make a $1,000 contribution to the foundation. These Founding 50 donors will be named forever as the ones who started the foundation.
As of Friday, the Founding 50 included: Larry and Kathi Bishop, Don and Lou Ann Fahrni, Don and Berniece Jungmeyer, Randy and Kathy Koestner, Sherman Koestner, Dan and Joyce Linhardt, Beverly Meyer, Rick and Judy Price and LeRoy and Margie (Fahrni) Schneider.
Donation forms are available at the Community Bank of Russellville, Russellville middle and high school offices or by contacting a foundation board member.
Send donations to: RSF, 7214 Meadows Ford Spur, Lohman, MO, 65053.