The Hazel Miller Foundation has granted $55,000 for post-secondary scholarships to be awarded in June 2020. The Morris and Hazel Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund will award $5,000 each to 11 graduating seniors in the Edmonds School District. Awards will be distributed among all six high schools: two each to Edmonds-Woodway, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Meadowdale High Schools; one each to Scriber Lake High School, Edmonds Heights K-12 and Edmonds e-Learning Academy. The scholarships will support students pursuing higher education programs at a university, community college or vocational-technical institution.

Information about the Morris and Hazel Miller Memorial Scholarship and other awards is available on the Foundation’s website. Seniors attending any ESD high school may apply for scholarships online until March 27th, 2020.

In photo: AsiaLee Donnelly (MTHS 2016), Morris and Hazel Miller Memorial Scholarship recipient; University of Washington Bioengineering major, completing a semester of study abroad in Berlin and Madrid.

Fourth graders at Beverly Elementary School recently visited the Hibulb Cultural Center to learn about history and traditions of Coast Salish tribes. This was the first of five field trips organized by teacher Emily Czerwonka to introduce students to our region’s main cultures. Mrs. Czerwonka received the 2019 Elizabeth Ruth Wallace Project grant for her social studies project called Exploring Washington’s Cultures by Bus. "We'll highlight First Peoples, Asian Americans, African Americans, Nordic Peoples and Latinos by visiting places that will inspire students' understanding of diversity, empathy and equity,” she explained.

At the Hibulb Cultural Center, operated by the Tulalip Tribes, children began the field trip with a presentation inside a replica of a Longhouse. They then wove mini traditional cedar mats and went on a scavenger hunt to explore the museum’s exhibits. Many thanks to Samantha Rose and the Center’s education team for hosting our students.

Your year-end gift to the Foundation goes directly into programs that enhance children's education and wellness throughout our district. Classroom grants fund innovative learning and instruction. Stipends and scholarships close opportunity gaps. Food and family assistance programs nourish kids and lift vulnerable households. Make your gift by midnight December 31st and help us reach our $40,000 Annual Fund Drive goal.

Our vision is that every child in our district has the resources to learn, thrive and contribute to our vibrant community. Please be a part of this vision by making a gift today. Thank you.

Nourishing Network volunteers and partners brightened the holidays for 236 households this week. Complete holiday meals were packaged and distributed to families on Wednesday. Each family received a turkey or ham, sides, potatoes, rolls and a pie made possible by donations to the Foundation’s Holiday Meal program. Participating organizations include: Brookview Church, Calvary Chapel Edmonds, Dave Teitzel of Edmonds City Council, Fred Meyer, HNN Properties, CrossFit Industrious, Mill Creek Foursquare Church, Refuge Church, Terrace Foursquare Church and The Vine Church.

Did you know, even if you don't itemize your taxes this year, you can still benefit from the tax benefits of making a charitable gift? If you are 70 1/2 years or older, you can transfer the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA to a qualified charity. While you will not be able to take a charitable tax deduction like you would if you itemized your taxes, you may be able to receive additional tax breaks from claiming your RMD as additional income. Whether it's due to staying in a lower income tax bracket or benefiting from lower tax rates for social security and capital gains, reducing your income by transferring your RMD to a charity can increase your tax deductions and allow you to support your favorite nonprofit. Consult your financial advisor for details.