Community Helps Brewster Foundation Fund Scholarships

From the Brewster Education Foundation

When the COVID-19 pandemic took over, the Brewster Education Foundation was between a
rock and a hard place. The BEF, a non-profit education foundation dedicated to supporting
public education for the Brewster Central School District, gives more than 75 scholarships every
year to graduating Brewster Seniors, including the Seven-Year Scholars. But the BEF had to
cancel their largest fundraiser, the Spring Gala, and their accounts had taken a huge hit in the
markets.

With support from their extraordinary community, they decided to start the Rise Up Campaign,
which had a goal of raising $30,000 to fund the scholarships. They reached out to the residents
of Brewster, who answered with a roar.

“It was awesome, overwhelming, fantastic, inspiring, great and any other adjective you can
think of to describe the response we received,” says Alberta Kozma, President of the Brewster
Education Foundation. “Not only did we reach the moderate goal we set, which would have
funded the scholarships to less than they have been in past years, but we surpassed our goal
and now can fund all the scholarships at last year’s rate,” she continues. “Thank you to
everyone who rose to the occasion to support the Class of 2020!”

In a few short weeks, the total raised was $41,191.65, all of which went to scholarships for the
Brewster Class of 2020. Individuals, teachers, District Office Administrators, IS/MS PTA, BTA, HH
Wells Sunshine Fund, and support staff all generously donated, making it the single largest
fundraiser the BEF has had in its’ 36-year existence.

“The Brewster Education Foundation is all about supporting opportunities for our children,”
said Laurie Bandlow, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Brewster Central School District. “Some
school children have needs that the schools, community, and parents can't meet by
themselves. But together, through our foundation, we can,” Bandlow says. “The community
response to the Rise Up campaign has succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. I am so
proud to be a part of the Brewster community!”

If you would like to find out more about the Brewster Education Foundation, please visit
BEF.org. Additionally, if you are interested in becoming a member of the BEF board, we are
accepting applications.