We appreciate our long-standing relationship with the Road Scholar education travel organization, which regularly brings visitors to our schools to meet with our staff and learn about our programs. Many Road Scholars become regular donors after seeing the impact they can make in so many lives. Two recent Road Scholar visitors have stepped up to make an even more significant contribution to the students.

Mark and Jean Miller not only decided to fund a university scholarship for one of our former SMMS students, but they also wanted to donate to the Spitler School Foundation. They started a fundraising challenge and offered to match all donations received through December 15 up to $7500. The campaign is still on, and we are almost to the matching goal! Will you help us reach the finish line and double your impact?

We are, once again, excited to congratulate all our 2023 graduates! We had 96 students graduate from the Spitler School and Kurata primary schools, and 78 students graduate from Stephen Mazujian Middle School. It was a happy celebration last week as the staff put together a wonderful ceremony for our primary schools to celebrate the beginning of the new school year and the recognition of accomplishments over the past year.

Thanks largely to the generosity of Ms.Wei Ling and her fundraising efforts, each primary school graduate received a pair of shoes, a new uniform, and the basic school supplies they need to continue their education in middle school. The staff gave awards to three outstanding students in each grade, as well as special recognition to the top performing teachers and other members of the staff. The ceremony included the Spitler School dance class performing Cambodian Apsara cultural dancing, and the village families and local officials shared in the celebrations with our students.

“You all continue to do amazing work and I am sure the children, parents, and teachers are immensely grateful.” – Recent Donor. While this donor’s use of “you” was referencing SSF, we would not exist without your continued and amazing generosity. We recently asked some donors why they give, and we were humbled and inspired by their words.

Also, as a reminder: if you need to make “Required Minimum Distributions” from your IRA, and you want to make charitable donations, there is a significant tax advantage to transferring the donation directly from your IRA. SSF can assist you in facilitating these donations and is authorized to receive them from your financial institutions.

SSF is also set up to receive the transfer of other financial donations, such as appreciated stock, which could also provide significant tax advantages to donors. Please feel free to contact us to learn how your donation directly impacts our schools.