Putnam City class of 1987 gives back to district
When members of Putnam City High School’s class of 1987 gathered recently for their 30-year reunion, they mixed reminiscing about the glory days with making an impact for future generations. The group collected $3,000.30 for the Putnam City Schools Foundation, which is also celebrating a 30-year anniversary.
When members of the reunion committee met to make plans for the gathering, they wanted to find a way to give back to the district. They were able to keep reunion costs low and create an online donation option for classmates signing up for the event.
“Brainstorming on how to enrich the education of current and future students, the committee brought to the table the Putnam City Schools Foundation and the idea of helping students districtwide,” class member Rob McDonald said.
The mission of the foundation is to enhance and enrich the educational opportunities of children in the district. It helps fund programs such as Early Birds, elementary school STEM labs and school-site grants.
“The Putnam City school district has always striven for excellence in all they do,” McDonald said. “This gift should give it an extra boost to further that excellence. Our class hopes with this donation to the foundation that we start a tradition of giving back to the schools we loved and that helped us become who we are today.”
The class of 1987 had about 150 people show up for the reunion at Dunlop Codding in Oklahoma City. The group publicly challenged 1987 graduates from Putnam City West and Putnam City North high schools, along with other classes, to match or even beat their donation amount.
“We feel that we owe any generosity and compassion we have to our community, our teachers and, most of all, our families. They are the ones who instilled in us a desire to help where needed,” McDonald said.