Robert Chacon
One small chunk at a time -- that is the way the Lincoln Elementary
Foundation is replacing almost $30,000 that its former president and
treasurer allegedly embezzled over the summer.
The foundation wants to achieve that goal by adding more
fundraisers this year that will each raise more than $1,000, and its
members are counting on their annual primary fundraising event to
bring in at least $20,000.
The foundation uses the money it raises to pay for supplies,
programs and personnel at the school.
"The events we've had are small, but they add up," foundation
President Sandy Rinder said. Parents and foundation members are
brainstorming ideas for different ways to replenish the missing
money.
The events so far in 2004 have been proposed by parents and
businesses.
A student's parent who was working on a new movie starring Hilary
Duff invited two students to visit the set and meet the star. The
foundation raffled tickets for two weeks at $1 each and raised $570.
The students visited the set Wednesday.
The East Coast-based company Computers for Education also
contacted Rinder. The company asked students to sign up family and
friends for subscription offers with no obligation to buy. For every
11 people students registered, the company gave the school $5. The
company is still counting the number of people who signed up, Rinder
said, adding that she expects to raise at least $500.
A Montrose business owner offered the foundation a dine-out night
at his restaurant, Havana Beach Cafe on Honolulu Avenue. The event
was Wednesday and the owner returned 25% of the night's sales to the
foundation -- almost $200.
Restaurant owner Mel Barauskas said that he regularly allows
organizations to have fundraisers at Havana, but usually offers 10%
to 12% of sales. He made an exception for Lincoln because of the
alleged embezzlement.
Rinder said more parents are offering ideas to raise money.
The foundation's major fundraiser is in March, when it has the
Lincoln Elementary Jog-a-Thon, which raises between $20,000 and
$25,000 every year. In it, students get sponsors who pay for each lap
they complete around the playground.
The foundation had earmarked the stolen money for computers, an
arts program and to increase the grass area at the school.
Kenya Duke-Owens was arrested Dec. 5 on suspicion of embezzling
the money, but her arraignment was postponed last month while
Glendale Police detectives continue their investigation. Duke-Owens
was president and treasurer of the foundation when her child was a
sixth-grader at the school last year.
