Thank You for Giving!

#GivingTuesday was an incredible success for our community. Over $1500 was raised on Facebook on November 28. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously!

The Fort River Student Council Necessities Drive was a huge success! Supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria are being organized by the 6th grade Council this week and will be in the hands of those who need them very soon!

The Annual Fund is ongoing. The PGO depends on donations to the Annual Fund to cover about 30% of the annual budget. If you are able to help, please use PayPal on the PGO blog or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

Giving Tuesday is November 28 - So Many Ways to Give

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

Random acts of kindness are a great way to teach young children about giving and supporting each other. Helping a neighbor with yard work or donating clothes and books are easy ways to get kids involved. The Fort River Student Council is currently organizing a toy and necessities drive for victims of Hurricane Maria. The Amherst Survival Center and local religious groups have ongoing opportunities to donate or volunteer locally. The Amherst Education Foundation provides grants to ARPS teachers allowing students to tangibly see their families' donations at work.

The Fort River PGO also depends on generous giving from our community so that we can continue to support the work of our incredible teachers and staff. The Annual Fund needs to cover about 30% of the annual budget. Please consider joining the Fort River community on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 by including the PGO in your end-of-year giving. If you are able to help, please click here to donate using PayPal or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

Annual Fund Update #feelingthankful

Thanks again to our generous donors who have already contributed to the PGO Annual Fund!

The PGO's Facebook platform for Annual Fund donations closed on Monday with a total of $1050 raised from 20 donors! The PGO participated in this fundraising option because of matching grants made available. In honor of #GivingTuesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Facebook contributed $1 million to fundraisers on Facebook. The Gates Foundation matched $500,000 in donations to fundraisers (up to $1000 per non-profit). In addition Facebook waived up to $500,000 in administrative fees on the fundraising pages set up for the event (through December 31st). 

In addition to donations on Facebook we received charitable contributions via cash, check, and through our PayPal portal (link on top right of the blog homepage - "Donate" button) - contributions can be made at any time and all donations to the PGO are tax-deductible. Envelopes came home with students before Thanksgiving, but feel free to use a different one if it's been misplaced. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

Every donation made to the Annual Fund goes directly into the current year PGO operating budget to fund many teacher requests intended to enhance student experiences, e.g., classroom equipment or special furnishings, special curriculum materials, recess equipment, special guest authors, poets, musicians, and other performers, and field trips funds. 

Thanks again! We are all blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community!

Giving Tuesday a Huge Success! Thank You!

Wow! Thanks so much to all of our generous donors who contributed to the PGO Annual Fund on #GivingTuesday! We received $1425 in a single day!

The PGO took part in a community event for non-profits on Facebook. In honor of #GivingTuesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Facebook contributed $1 million to fundraisers on Facebook. The Gates Foundation matched $500,000 in donations to fundraisers (up to $1000 per non-profit). In addition Facebook waived up to $500,000 in administrative fees on the fundraising pages set up for the event (through December 31st). The PGO had 19 individual contributions totaling $1000 on Facebook. A considerable portion of this will be matched; we don't know the exact amount yet but anticipate at least a $600 additional matching grant from the Gates Foundation! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

In addition to donations on Facebook we received charitable contributions via cash, check, and through our PayPal portal (link on top right of the blog homepage - "Donate" button) - contributions can be made at any time and all donations to the PGO are tax-deductible. Envelopes came home with students before Thanksgiving, but feel free to use a different one if it's been misplaced.

Every donation made to the Annual Fund goes directly into the current year PGO operating budget to fund many teacher requests intended to enhance student experiences, e.g., classroom equipment or special furnishings, special curriculum materials, recess equipment, special guest authors, poets, musicians, and other performers, and field trips funds. 

Thanks again! We are all blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community!

TODAY is GIVING TUESDAY

Kick off December, the month of giving, with a donation to the PGO on Giving Tuesday! Your financial contribution to the Fort River PGO in any amount will allow us to continue to provide our school much need funding for enrichment activities, field trips, and classroom supplies.

Please make checks payable to Fort River PGO and send into the Main Office or donate online via PayPal (link top right on this page.)

Every donation helps! Your contributions support daily work in the classrooms by providing curriculum materials for special units, supplementing field trips funds to make them more affordable, and sponsoring visits from authors and other guests. The PGO also hosts numerous school wide events including the upcoming Barnes & Noble Book Fair and the Annual Chili Night for a Chilly Night, and every Fort River family received a Family Directory thanks to your generous donations! Catch the WAVE!

NOVEMBER 29TH is GIVING TUESDAY

Kick off the month of giving! Your financial contribution to the Fort River PGO in any amount will allow us to continue to provide our school much need funding for enrichment activities, field trips and classroom supplies.

Please make checks payable to Fort River PGO and send into the Main Office or donate online via PayPal (link top right on this page.)

#GivingTuesday is on November 29

Save the Date! 

Fort River PGO will be participating in a day of giving with others across the globe on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. 

Donations to our Annual Fund are accepted at any time, but on this special day of giving we recognize the power of community in helping the PGO and other non-profits continue to do great work year round. 

Where does the money go? Here is a recent example:

Recess carts!!!! Ask your kids all about it or talk to Ms. Keizer! The PGO donated money for the school to purchase recess carts and playground accessories. Many more students can play games during recess and the equipment stays safe and organized.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff! 

Giving Tuesday is on November 29 - Where Do your Donations to the PGO Go?

Save the Date! 

Fort River PGO will be participating in a day of giving with others across the globe on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. 

Donations to our Annual Fund are accepted at any time, but on this special day of giving we recognize the power of community in helping the PGO and other non-profits continue to do great work year round. 

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff! 

Where does the money go? The pink family directories that came home last month were provided free to every family thanks to generous donations to the PGO.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Giving Tuesday - a Global Day of Giving on November 29

Save the Date! 

Fort River PGO will be participating in a day of giving with others across the globe on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. 

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Donations to our Annual Fund are accepted at any time, but on this special day of giving we recognize the power of community in helping the PGO and other non-profits continue to do great work year round. 

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff! #givingtuesday

Giving Tuesday - Please Consider Fort River School!

#givingtuesday is Tuesday, December 1st! 

The day provides a tremendous opportunity to support the hard work of your favorite non-profits! 

Please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign in November, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! 

Did you know that the PGO provides a printed Directory to each family annually free of charge? Did you know that each child receives a printed Yearbook at no cost every June? 

Have you attended Chili Nights, PGO Movie Nights, Popsicle Parties, or Dr. Suess Night? All of these community events were organized and funded by the PGO. How about the new Pumpkin Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast held on Halloween Day? This well attended, super fun inaugural event was made possible by the hard work of the PGO and generous donations from community partners. The PGO also budgets support for field trips, 6th grade graduation, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon, Coffees with the Principal, the Winter Coat Drive, Book Share, and grade-wide potlucks and events.

All classroom teachers and specialists receive seed money from the PGO to set up their classrooms each fall. The Guidance Team has a sizable discretionary fund provided by the PGO specifically for supporting our most at risk students and families. 

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! We do not have an online platform for donations this year. This means you can be assured that every single penny you provide makes it into the PGO checking account at Florence Bank! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002