Lawton Direct Drive - 2023/2024

Participate Now

Annual Dolphin Dreams Fundraiser

Lawton Elementary School - 2023-2024

 

The Event

The Dolphin Dreams Direct Drive is Lawton's largest fundraising event of the year. Funds raised in this event are used to support critical programs and essential needs, including arts and science programs, technology licenses, as well as funding for our librarian and recess & lunch monitors. For a more detailed breakdown of how these funds are used, see Where Does the Money Go below.

The Goal

With our current student enrollment, the current ask is a $450 donation per child. We know that this is a big ask and understand that this amount may be a financial burden to some families. If you are unable to donate the full amount you can specify a custom amount you are comfortable with. For those of you able to donate more than the suggested amount, know that your additional contributions will help us reach our overall financial target!

 

Our goal is to reach 100% participation this year! Participation does not require a donation – if you can’t give at this time, you can still show your support by clicking the “Participate Now” button.

 

 

Lawton PTA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, so 100% of your donation is tax deductible.

 

 

The Extra Recess!

Every class that reaches 100% participation will earn an extra recess! The first two classes to reach 100% participation will also receive a popsicle party. By participating even without a financial contribution, you demonstrate your active involvement in the Lawton community and commitment to this program’s success.

Supporting our Partner School

As in previous years, there will be an option to donate separately to Bailey Gatzert Elementary, our SPS partner school located in the Central District. This is an opportunity to help support the needs of children in our broader community. As a Title 1 school, Bailey Gatzert receives federal assistance as their school has a high number of children enrolled who are living in low income housing. 100% of any donation you choose to make goes directly to the Bailey Gatzert students.

Where Does the Money Go?

Your donations support programs throughout the year and help Lawton meet critical needs not covered by district funding.

Fund Distribution Graph

Some Highlights

Below is just a subset of the many ways your donations are used to support Lawton.

Specialty Staff Coverage

Did you know that district funding does not fully pay for:

  • lunch and recess monitors
  • full time librarian
  • reading specialist

Without funds from the Direct Drive, Lawton would be without these essential resources.

Staff Appreciation Week

We are so fortunate to have a school staff who truly care about our kids. Each year in May we show them our gratitude for going above and beyond for their students! The PTA budget is used to fund flowers for the staff, a catered lunch, and a coffee cart.

School Supplies

Each year, teachers receive a stipend to purchase essential supplies to meet the basic needs of their classrooms. Specialty teachers (e.g. librarian, music teacher, physical education) receive additional funds as their programs benefit the entire student population. Last year Ms. Gallegos (librarian) was able to buy new signage to make it easier for the kids find what they are looking for themselves. Ms Kinder (music) has her eye on some Ukuleles for this year, and Mr. Peters (physical education) always uses his stipend to find the coolest things that the kids love to keep them excited and engaged!

Website/Software Licenses

Brain Pop, Learning A - Z & IXL are invaluable resources that the teachers use in the classroom. These are paid for completely by the PTA.

PTA Enrichment & Events

Field Day, Move-A-Thon, Art Docent, STEAM week, Kindergarten meet-ups, Fall Festival, Back to School Bash, Bingo night, Movie nights – all brought to you by the PTA! These events are so much fun for the kids and help maintain our strong Lawton community.

Employer Donation Matching

Do you see your employer on the list below?

 

The companies listed here will match your Direct Drive donation. Please consider making a contribution match request to them to make your donation go even further!

  • Adobe Systems Inc
  • Aetna
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Apple Inc.
  • AT&T
  • Bank of America Corp.
  • BECU
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • BlackRock
  • Boeing
  • BP
  • Bungle Inc.
  • BSNF Railway Co.
  • Charles Schwab
  • Chubb & Sons Inc.
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Costco
  • Delta Western Inc.
  • Eli Lilly & Company
  • Expedia Inc.
  • ExxonMobil
  • Fred Meyer Inc.
  • General Electric
  • General Mills Inc.
  • Genworth Financial
  • The Goldman Sachs Group
  • Google
  • The Home Depot
  • IBM Corp.
  • Intermec Foundation
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co.
  • Laird Norton Wealth Management
  • LexisNexis
  • Liberty Mutual group
  • Macy’s Inc.
  • Mass Mutual
  • Merck & Co. Inc.
  • Microsoft Corp.
  • Milliman
  • Nintendo of America
  • Nordstrom
  • Oracle Corp.
  • Peach foundation
  • The Pew Charitable Trust
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • The Progressive Corp.
  • Puget Sound Energy
  • Qualcomm Charitable Foundation
  • Quote Wizzard
  • RBC Wealth Management
  • Russell Investments
  • Safeco
  • Saltchuck Resources Inc.
  • Shell Oil Company
  • Starbucks Corporation
  • Stokes Lawrence Charitable Fdn.
  • Symmetry Financial Corporation
  • Tableau Software
  • T-Mobile
  • Thomson-Reuters Corporation
  • U.S. Bank
  • UBS Financial Services
  • United Way of King County
  • Wells Fargo

 

 

 

Please support the teachers, staff, and students of Lawton Elementary by clicking on the "Participate Now!" button above by November 29th.

 

 

 

If you have any questions please reach out to the fundraising team (Ania Tchistiakova & Vanessa Harding) at: fundraising@lawtonelementary.org