Thanks to a group of very generous donors. If an additional 300 Mercer Island families contribute any amount to the Bridge the Gap fundraising this spring, we can earn an additional $170,000 for our schools. The Challenge Grant’s goal is simply to increase participation in Bridge the Gap to 50 percent of school district families. A gift of any amount to the campaign will make a huge difference — all contributions count toward the goal.

We are so grateful to our incredible community for its support of our schools through our recent Breakfast of Champions. All Bridge the Gap donations go directly to hire more teachers. If you have not yet been able to contribute to Bridge the Gap this year, please consider even a small contribution today; the deadline is June 1. You can donate online at www.mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com or by mail at MISF, P.O. Box 1234, Mercer Island, Wash., 98040.

Only donations received since Jan. 1 count for the grant, so for those wonderful Phone-a-Thon donors who contributed during 2009, we ask that you consider another donation — even $10 will move us to the goal, so long as it is received by June 1.

On behalf of the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and the Mercer Island PTAs, thank you for helping us support all Mercer Island students and their teachers.

Mercer Island Schools Foundation Executive Committee

Denise Hopkins, co-president

Ralph Young, co-president

Tim Conway, vice president

Meredith Lehr, secretary

Betsy O’Connell, treasurer