The Lexington One Educational Foundation is expressing gratitude and reflecting on its achievements throughout 2024.

On Oct. 24, the foundation held its Golf Tournament, where participants enjoyed a round of golf while raising funds to benefit Lexington One schools, teachers and families. According to a press release, the event raised $36,000.

The foundation’s Lexington Emergency/Education Assistance Plan (LEAP) raised $123,546 this year. The emergency fund provides financial assistance to families in need within Lexington One and offers need-based grants to students and schools.

The foundation’s education fund supports initiatives not covered by the district’s budget and it also provides grants to graduating seniors attending college who have significant financial need. Other programs supported by the fund include the International Teacher Grant, which helps new teachers from other countries settle into their new lives and the Health Fund, which provides vision screeners for school nurses to test students’ vision.

The LEAP Education Fund offers educational grants, including an eight-year commitment to the Bucks for Books Grants program, which promotes literacy in schools. The foundation has invested more than $186,050 in books for students at all grade levels. Additionally, the fund supports mathematics grants for students in kindergarten through second grade and STEM learning.

 “The end of the year is a terrific time to reflect on all of our generous donors and how they helped support the Lexington One Educational Foundation,” Julie Anderson Washburn, executive director of the foundation, said. “Our golf tournament and annual LEAP Campaign were both successful thanks to caring individuals and corporate leaders who chose to invest in the strong public educational system that Lexington District One offers. Our endeavors to strengthen learning and support our students is only possible due to the generosity of many who want to make a positive difference in the Lexington community.”

In response to Hurricane Helene, the foundation’s Caring Heart Fund provided nearly $3,000 to assist families in need of food and shelter.

The Lexington One Educational Foundation is grateful for the continued support from donors, whose contributions have made this a successful year for the Lexington One community.