Largest School Fundraiser in Santa Cruz County Underway

SANTA CRUZ, CA (September 14, 2016) – Drive for Schools, the largest school fundraiser in Santa Cruz County, kicked off its 12th big year on Wednesday, September 14.

Volunteers from more than 80 schools in Santa Cruz County will coordinate Drive for Schools ticket sales over the next month, giving the community an opportunity to win a new car, cash prizes, merchandise, and gift certificates for local businesses.

This year’s Grand Prize winner will choose a new car (Toyota Prius or Subaru Outback) or $25,000 in cash donated by two major sponsors - the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group. The Boardwalk and Capitola Auto Dealer Group are also donating ten $1,000 cash prizes. Dozens of other valuable prizes and gift certificates are donated by local businesses, including a $1,000 gift certificate from Dell Williams.

The public can purchase tickets through October 16 for their chance to win the prizes. Tickets are $5 each or $25 for 6. Drive for Schools tickets include a coupon to park for free at the Boardwalk on October 25 for the prize drawing at 1pm. Winners need not be present to win.

During last year's event, 82 local schools raised $630,000. The leading 2015 fundraiser was Soquel High School, which brought in $37,371. Other big earners were tiny Tierra Pacifica Charter School ($26,600) and Valencia Elementary ($25,725).

Schools use Drive for Schools income for art, music, and sports programs as well as field trips, science camp, and classroom supplies. Drive for Schools has raised $4.07 million dollars for local schools since 2005.

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. Dozens of local businesses also donate prizes for the event. Hundreds of school volunteers coordinate their school's ticket sales. Tickets and posters are printed by Mission Printers in Santa Cruz.

Each school keeps all the money they raise selling tickets with no overhead costs. Schools receive everything they need including tickets, posters, prizes and support, making the fundraiser easy for school volunteers to administer.

Visit www.beachboardwalk.com/driveforschools for a list of participating schools, prizes, rules and ticket information.