Nonprofit Spotlight: Peninsula Education Foundation

The Peninsula Education Foundation, the focus of this week's nonprofit spotlight, is an organization founded in 1979 and dedicated to raising funds to ensure students in Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District continue receive a quality education.

Executive Director Andrea Sala recently answered a few questions about the organization's activities.

Palos Verdes Patch: What is the main purpose of your organization?

Andrea Sala: To raise funds for the Palos Verdes Peninsula public schools and the PVPUSD. This year's goal is $3 million!

Patch: Does your organization host any big or important events?

Sala: The "Main Event" is our largest fundraising event that includes a silent and live auction, and a dinner/dance. It is located at Terranea Resort in May each year. Over 750 guests attend this event, which is the largest single event fundraiser on the Peninsula.

Patch: So far, what has been the defining moment of PEF?

Sala: Raising our annual goal to an unprecedented $3 million this year. (It's) a very lofty goal!

Patch: If someone gave PEF $1 million with no strings attached, what would it be used for?

Sala: To maintain great programs and keep teachers in our schools. Programs that have been eliminated due to drastic state budget cuts over the past five years. We have lost 77 teachers in the past five years, and our school district's budget has been cut by $24 million!

Patch: What makes the Palos Verdes Peninsula special?

Sala: The people make PVP special. You couldn't ask for a more supportive, giving community full of generous people who want a safe community with good schools, arts, theater, land conservation and strong family values.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about PEF?

Sala: The PEF works hard for all the children in our public schools to ensure they receive a quality education even after the state has reduced our funding. Proposition 30 will only maintain current levels and simply saved our schools from major cuts, but will not infuse a huge sum of money into our schools like our residents think. There is still a large need for fundraising for our schools to keep them strong, which is important to our community!

For more information on the Peninsula Education Foundation, visit the website at pvpef.org.

This article is part of a series spotlighting the various nonprofit and community organizations around the Palos Verdes Peninsula. To be notified whenever we post a new article in the series, click the "Keep me posted" button below.