LCFEF movie night planned

La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation officials said this week that they hope to replicate last year’s blockbuster fundraising effort, matching or exceeding the $2 million generated through direct appeals and events.

“That increased fundraising allowed the district to add a number of teachers and we want to keep them here,” executive director Lindsay McGregor said of the money brought in during the 2010-11 school year.

This year’s efforts will include traditional annual events such as the jog-a-thon and the annual gala dinner, as well a direct appeal to district families for a $2,500 donation, McGregor said.

And new fundraisers are on the horizon. On Tuesday, the foundation will host a movie night at The Americana on Brand in Glendale with a screening of “Real Steel.”

“We are always looking for new and fresh ideas for fundraising,” said executive vice president and Paradise Canyon Elementary School parent Paris Cohen. “My goal is to put on fundraisers at different price points so that way people who might be able to attend the wine-tasting event or the gala might able to [participate].”

Tickets can be purchased for $15 on the foundation website, and then must be picked up at the foundation office, McGregor said. The theater has a maximum capacity of 283, and 100% proceeds go directly back to the foundation.

A foundation-sponsored screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two” that took place during the summer sold out, generating more than $5,500, officials said. A third movie night likely will take place in the spring.

Foundation officials said that they intend to make full use of a new website launched last year that will enable them to better solicit contributions electronically. Lots of people already pay their bills online, and the move will allow the foundation to streamline itself, McGregor said.

“We are really hoping that it cuts down on all of the waste,” McGregor said. “We had a lot of paper before, lots of envelopes and notes going back and forth. We are trying to “green” the effort and not waste so much.”

Events such as the movie screenings and the jog-a-thon provide families with affordable ways to support the foundation and the schools, Cohen said.

“It is the goal of the foundation to reach 100% participation and support from all school families to the extent the family can afford, whether that’s $100, $1,000 or the much-needed $2,500 per family,” Cohen said.