Recent Posts

We are pleased to announce that a member of the Spitler family has taken on a larger roll with the administration of the Spitler School Foundation. Lindsey (Spitler) Oakes, daughter to founders Danny and Pam Spitler, has now joined SSF as Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.

Lindsey, an attorney, not only has had an expansive career background, but she also has passion for public service.  She has served others through not only her career, but also through her volunteer support as a literacy tutor to low income residents in Washington, D.C., administrative support to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and pro bono legal work for the homeless. Additionally, she has traveled extensively abroad, and has been continuously interested in international issues and cultures.

We welcome her to the formal administration of SSF, and we look forward to her ideas and initiatives as we continue to strengthen our mission.

It was 2013 when we first met Olympian Tracy Evans, and we were introduced to her amazing organization, Kids Play International. Using sports programs as a vehicle, KPI trains local coaches to teach gender equality, respect, fair play, inclusion, and the value of education. After five years of hard work and planning, in October 2018, KPI introduced their Cambodia initiative with a well-trained team of local coaches.

The coaching team and their KPI leaders held their first ever sports day in Cambodia with Spitler and Kurata School students, as well as from Stephen Mazujian Middle School, on October 27. Katey Lippett, KPI’s Cambodia Program Director, stated:

While we came here to train and motivate our new coaches, we leave this week captivated by their passion. I feel so thankful to continue working with this incredible group of humans. The best is yet to come for these coaches, and I’m excited to be a part of it. I think Tracy Evans said it best in her teary-eyed, bittersweet goodbye: “Being here has inspired me. You all have inspired me. You make me want to … work so hard for all of you. You all are going to change this country.”

Please read more about KPIs mission and accomplishments at: www.kidsplayintl.org

After 14 years, it is still a thrill to see the faces of hundreds of young children arriving on the first day of school, ready and eager to learn. Opening ceremonies were attended by village leaders and local dignitaries. It is the hard work of our amazing staff that makes each Opening Day and new school year a success.

We are excited to report that of the 714 children, who started this school year, 49.3% are female. The Spitler School is open to any and every child in the region who wants to learn, and we are so encouraged by these females, as gender equality continues to move in the right direction.

All of our donors should take pride in another school year full of hope and excitement for these students. Without you, it would not be possible.