Topeka Public Schools Foundation hosts several large fundraising events each year, providing engaging opportunities for people of all interests and income to support TPS students.
2020 TPS Foundation Community Breakfast
The TPS Foundation Community Breakfast is planned for September 15, 2020, at 7:30 a.m. at the Topeka Public Schools Hummer Sports Park located at 2751 SW East Circle Dr. S #1, Topeka, KS 66606. We could not continue our mission of providing assistance to Topeka Public Schools without your support, and the Community Breakfast is a great way to show your support for public education. If you or your organization are interested in being a sponsor, click here. Your support and presence is a gift!
27th Annual Winfred Tidwell Memorial Fundraiser Golf Tournament
Topeka Public Schools Foundation held the 27th annual Winfred Tidwell Memorial Fundraiser Golf Tournament on June 4, 2020, at the beautiful Shawnee Country Club golf course. Proceeds from the tournament go to the TPS Foundation to support various TPS programs including scholarships and grants.
Winners from the 2020 tournaments are:
First Prize: 1st Flight/Team Hinrichs
Greg Haynes
Milton Heinrichs
Mitchell Heinrichs
Kris Murphy
Second Prize: 1st Flight/The Four Scotsmen
Daniel Ackerman
Kelly Norbury
Boshner Whitaker
Third Prize: 1st Flight/Goodell, Stratton, Edwards and Palmer
Chris Ary
Dale Krumm
Jim Fell
Todd Deaton
First Prize: 2nd Flight/Corefirst Bank
Garry Cushinberry
Gary Gifford
Joe Nicoletti
Second Prize: 2nd Flight/Slice and Dice
Brandt Betts
Ryan Kinners
Kyle Cordts
Ryan Salts
Third Prize: 2nd Flight/Old Duffers
Ron Brown
Chris Albert
Andrew Seitz
Rob Seitz
Dixon Driver Challenge Winner:
Larry Matt
Great Life Prize:
1. Team Cobra
Chris Palmer
Justin Glassow
John Hutton
Phil Ritches
2. Team Pai & Bun
Tracie Bauer
Bryan Candea-Kromm
Aryn McCoy
Lori Roenbaugh
MajorSaver Discount Card Campaign
Each year, students across the district participate in the sale of MajorSaver Discount Cards. This campaign takes place in February each year. Funds that are raised support TPS programs and services. The MajorSaver Discount Card Campaign has brought $489,060 in total funding to the district. Thank you, for your continued support!
Buy a TPS Foundation Brick to Support Public Education
Wanting to leave a lasting impression on public education? By buying a TPS Foundation brick on the Walk of Honor entry at Burnett Administrative Center, you will not only be donating to the worthy cause of public education, but your gift and service will also be permanently memorialized. They can be purchased in honor of an individual, organization or school of your choice, and is 100 percent tax deductible. For more information or to purchase a life-changing brick, click here.
Partnerships and other Initiatives
2019
Cox Charities partnered with TPSF to provide a $5,000 community investment grant. Kansas Gas Service partnered with TPSF providing a $10,000 Donors Choice Award.
2020
The Topeka Community Foundation partnered with TPSF providing a $15,000 grant to provide select TPS students and staff to support costs of prescriptions and medical needs.
Target & TPS Foundation Partnership a Success
More than 40 Target associates were on hand to cheer and greet everyone entering Williams Magnet school building. They were present for the Target Day of Service on January 19. While the weather outside was cold and icy, they made the event inside feel warm, optimally energized and festive. The Target mascot, posters, colorful book bags, balloons and music greeted all that attended and served to add to the ambiance and significance of the day.
The atmosphere in the gym was electrifying. Foundation Director, Pamela Johnson-Betts stated, "How very blessed we are that TPS youth were "targeted" for gifts to help the local Target distributor to do their annual day of service helping us kick off 30 years of service and care we have contributed to TPS all while celebrating MLK day!"
Elementary students from Ross, Scott and Williams received book bags filled with supplies and a MLK activity book. Special guests included key note speaker Dr. Angela Farris-Watkins, the niece of the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr., City Manager Jim Colson and Target Senior Group Leader, Christopher Rogers.
Christopher Rogers summed up the event by saying, "this was an amazing day...I'm in awe of the power of it."
The event was used to showcase the talent of public school students including students in the HPH Chamber Choir, directed by Dr Patrick Kitendo and THS student Oladele Adegbore.
TPS Foundation Celebrated 30 Years of Giving Back
The Topeka Public Schools Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. To celebrate this occasion, Dr. Angela Farris Watkins, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke to students about Dr. King’s legacy of service. Third, fourth and fifth graders from Scott Magnet, Ross Elementary and Williams Magnet were in attendance for the presentation.
Target, a TPSF business partner, had associates on hand to greet students. Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast, the Highland Park High School chorus and the Topeka Metro Rosa Parks bus were also featured at the event.
"The Foundation, along with our business partner, Target, are proud to begin our 30th year of service to Topeka Public Schools by bringing in the noted Dr. Angela Farris Watkins to help our students understand firsthand a legacy of caring and service. Dr. King had a vision that poverty and racism would be eliminated and that quality schools would one day be a given for all. There is still work to be done on that front and it is our job to keep that hope alive," said Pamela Johnson-Betts, Executive Director of the Topeka Public Schools Foundation.