Drive for Schools Breaks Fundraising Records

Drive for Schools, the largest school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County, broke sales records this year, bringing in $630,000 for 82 local schools. Sponsored by the Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Drive for Schools has now raised $4.07 million for Santa Cruz County schools since it was started by Subaru of Santa Cruz in 2005.

Glafira Castillo of Watsonville was the Grand Prize Winner, with her choice of a new Toyota Prius, Subaru Outback, or $25,000 cash. Glafira purchased her winning ticket from Watsonville High, her son’s school. The full list of prize winners is posted on beachboardwalk.com/driveforschools.

For the first time this year, schools in each category (High School, Jr. High School, and Elementary) were recognized for their high earnings. This year’s biggest fundraisers were Soquel High School ($37,371); Mission Hill Junior High($9,135); and Valencia Elementary ($25,725). Tierra Pacifica ($26,600), a small K-8 charter school, received a special Spirit Award for their outstanding results.

The Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk share the cost of the car and other cash prizes and donate staff time to organize and run the fundraiser. Hundreds of school volunteers coordinate their school’s ticket sales. Dozens of local businesses donate prizes for the event. Tickets and posters are printed by Mission Printers in Santa Cruz.