Green Dragon Foundation President Speaks to Service Organizations

In November and December, Brooks Gronlund, President of the Green Dragon Foundation, spoke to Lewisburg service clubs about the importance of raising private funds in support of the Lewisburg Area School District.

Gronlund was the guest speaker at the Lewisburg Kiwanis Club, Lewisburg Downtown Rotary, Buffalo Valley AM Kiwanis, and Lewisburg Sunrise Rotary.  He gave an overview of the process the Foundation went through in organizing itself. 

Some excerpts from his presentations include:

  • “It was just an idea shared by a few people.  After a little research, we realized that local education foundations are not a new concept nationally.  Within Pennsylvania there are more than 190 local education foundations.”
  • “With low per-student state funding and a limited real estate tax base, the concept of an education foundation made sense to support these goals.” 
  • At each of the presentations, individuals in the audience asked how the Green Dragon Foundation was different from the other school district fundraising organizations and asked whether the Foundation was working with them. 
  • Gronlund explained that there are many great organizations whose mission it is to support certain aspects of LASD.  He cited examples such as the Lewisburg Area High School Alumni Association, the Lewisburg All Sports Boosters Club, the LAHS Music Association, and the elementary and middle school PSAs (Parent Student Associations).
  • “The Green Dragon Foundation differs from these other important organizations because the goals of the Foundation span across all grade levels, all school buildings, and all levels of faculty and administration.” 
  • Gronlund further explained that although the Foundation differs in its breadth and scope of support, all of these organizations have a common goal of working on behalf of the students of LASD.  To that end, the Foundation is currently working on a collaborative communications project that could include all of these organizations.
  • Gronlund told the audience members that the Green Dragon Foundation recently launched a small campaign.  The Foundation set a goal to distribute a grant of $30,000 to the Lewisburg Area School District by the end of this year.  The funds would specifically support the 21st Century Classrooms program and would enable the district to place information technology items at Kelly Elementary School, where the need for technology is currently the greatest.
  • “Monies we raise will accomplish many things including ensuring related activities that make for world-class learning institutions, augmenting academic curricula, purchasing technology resources, and improving or constructing facilities such as buildings and venues for athletics and the arts.” 
  • “Private funding is the next logical step to enrich the programs offered to our students. The Green Dragon Foundation is both a catalyst for good intentions by giving parents, teachers, local residents, businesses, and alumni a chance to contribute their time and money to an organization dedicated to improving the quality and vibrancy of their hometown.  Everyone wins when your local public school system thrives and achieves greatness.”