California School District and Car Company Fight to Save Local Music Programs for Elementary School Students
Hyundai to Match up to $50,000 in Donations Raised by the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation Benefiting Entire Elementary School District
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 23 -- Hyundai Motor America (HMA) yesterday announced its "Drive to Keep Music Alive" challenge to save local elementary school music programs at the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation Arts Festival. Rallying to save school music programs Hyundai Motor America, joined by the Fountain Valley School District, Fountain Valley Educational Foundation, city officials, teachers and students, announced plans to match donations made to the foundation up to $50,000 collected during the fundraising campaign this spring. Not to miss a note, Hyundai, with the help of students, unveiled a Hyundai "Sonata," to serve as a collection bank for donations.
"We are so thankful for Hyundai's interest in supporting the school district's music programs," said Dr. Marc Ecker, superintendent of the Fountain Valley School District. "Without their support, we could not raise enough funds to sustain these programs as part of our regular curriculum."
Hyundai, one of the community's most driven members, approached the school district wanting to know how it could help the entire district, rather than serve only a handful of individual schools. The school district welcomed the support and identified music as the most under-funded program district-wide, and the most likely to be eliminated due to budget constraints.
"Hyundai is proud to support the Fountain Valley School District and help save school music programs through its fundraising partnership with the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation," said Finbarr O'Neill, president and CEO at Hyundai Motor America. "At a time when school programs are threatened by state budget cuts, it is important for the community to do its part in keeping vital school programs alive."
The Fountain Valley Educational Foundation hopes to raise $100,000 in donations. To make a donation to the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation, or for more information, contact Susan Grantham at 714-843-3255.
About the Fountain Valley School District
The Fountain Valley School District services grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and is governed by a five-member board. The District provides services to a large portion of the city of Fountain Valley and a small portion of Huntington Beach. It is one of four elementary districts that feed into the Huntington Beach Union High School District. The District is in a moderate growth stage with an enrollment of about 6,300 students and is comprised of seven K-5 elementary schools, three 6-8 middle schools and one K-8 elementary school. For more information visit www.fvsd.k12.ca.us .
About the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation
The Fountain Valley Educational Foundation was established in 1982 to enhance the quality of education for all students in the Fountain Valley School District. The Foundation's Board of Directors includes representatives from the schools, businesses and the community. The Foundation's goals are to increase the awareness of education issues and needs in the community and to secure funding through corporate sponsorships, business partnerships and individual donations. For more information visit www.fvsd.k12.ca.us/fvedfnd.html .
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are sold and serviced by Hyundai Motor America through more than 600 dealers nationwide. For more information about Hyundai Motor America, please visit www.hyundaiusa.com .
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030423/LAW096AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840