Changing Children’s Lives Through Education

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy

Sandpoint, ID –  “Your gift can change a child’s life… right here in our community.”  A good education offers a path to a better life for our children, and the nonprofit Panhandle Alliance for Education works side by side with the Lake Pend Oreille School District to improve students’ lives.  PAFE has recently introduced a recurring giving program –  a quick and easy way to donate.  Simply go to the nonprofit’s website, www.panhandlealliance.org, click on the “Donate” button, and follow the prompts.

Why has the Panhandle Alliance decided to offer a recurring giving program?  This type of giving ensures that PAFE will have a reliable and steady source of income into the future – enabling the organization to make long-term commitments to the important school programs and teacher grants which so benefit students in the Lake Pend Oreille School district.  And there are excellent tax benefits in Idaho for donating to education: up to $1,000 yearly (only $84 per month) for an individual and up to $2,000 yearly ($167 per month) for a married couple.  Idaho individuals receive a return of up to 50 percent of a $1,000 yearly gift (a tax credit of $500) and married couples receive up to 50 percent of a gift of $2,000 (a tax credit of $1,000). Of course, it’s important to check with one’s tax accountant, as the tax benefit is dependent on personal income level and filing status. 

Superintendent Woodward says he believes “in the power of partnerships and community support in helping our students reach their greatest potential.”  For over ten years, the Panhandle Alliance for Education has been an important partner with the Lake Pend Oreille School District.  Woodward adds, “We are committed to ensuring our students have the skills, aptitudes and abilities to make their future dreams become a reality.”

The Panhandle Alliance for Education is a non-profit organization composed of local citizens, businesses, and educators. Our mission is to promote excellence in education and broad-based community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Donations are distributed as a working pool of money used to fund classroom teacher grants; READY! For Kindergarten, an early childhood literacy education program for parents of children from birth to age five; a district-wide writing program; and other strategic programs. To participate in the recurring giving program, please go to the website, www.panhandlealliance.org and click on “Donate.”  To learn more about the Panhandle Alliance for Education, please visit our website at www.panhandlealliance.org or call Executive Director Marcia Wilson at 208-263-7040.