Race to raise money for Rogers schools

ROGERS — The Rogers Public Education Foundation aims to raise money for teacher grants with its first charity run.

The Elf 5K will start on First Street downtown at 10 a.m. Dec. 8. Runners are encouraged to dress as elves or wear other kinds of Christmas attire, said Karyn Tecle, the foundation’s development and outreach manager.

“Our goal is to raise more

money for the teachers and students of Rogers. That’s why we wanted to come up with a new fundraising event,” Tecle said.

Registration costs $30 per person or $20 for current and retired teachers. Foundation officials expect up to 100 people for what they plan to be an annual event, Tecle said.

The foundation last year distributed about $221,000 in awards and grants to Rogers teachers in preschool through high school, its largest amount since the foundation began in 1996.

That money went toward projects such as outdoor learning centers, training programs for students and teachers, books and electronic devices, according to the foundation’s report for the 2017-18 academic year.

Three sources accounted for most of the foundation’s funding last year: corporate grants and major gifts, the annual Wall of Distinction awards banquet and sales of the Major Saver discount card.

The foundation also started a golf tournament last year. That tournament raised $12,000 in 2017 and $45,000 this year, Tecle said.