Thank you to 1st Security Bank in Newport and their customers for the generous donation to Yaquina View Elementary School! Two large boxes of school supplies and a $751.40 check – $500 from the bank and $251.40 from bank patrons – were presented August 24, 2023 to Principal Kristin Becker and Assistant Principal Darryl Coppedge by 1st Security Bank branch manager Melony Heim. The money will go into a student body account that can be accessed as needed for student supplies. “We have a pantry that has shelf stable food for food donation boxes as well as school supplies, backpacks, etc. for us to give to families as they communicate a need to us,” Principal Becker said.
Aside from the money donated to YVES in memory of former Newport High School Principal Jon Zagel’s mom when she passed away several years ago, this is the single largest cash donation the school has received to put in their student body account designated for supporting students and families. The student body account continues to grow with contributions such as the one from the bank. In previous years, NHS Boosters provided YVES with gift cards that totaled thousands of dollars during the pandemic to give to families who were experiencing food insecurity.
A few anonymous benefactors give the school gift cards annually in December for families who need food or other goods during the long winter break. YVES also facilitates a virtual giving tree in the winter where families complete a survey if they have gift giving needs and/or food needs around the winter holiday time. School families, staff, and community members “adopt” a YV child from this survey and fill their wishlists. Becker said she is humbled by the support. “The bank’s donation is a reflection of the generous community we live in. This is my 9th year as the principal here and there has not been a year in this school where our community has not stepped up to care for us.”
