Oregon City Schools Foundation reports programs, scholarships and inaugural Oregon Trail 5K fundraiser

Volunteers from the Oregon City Schools Foundation updated the board on Sept. 8 about the foundation’s student‑support programs, scholarship work and the organization’s new Oregon Trail Game & 5K fundraiser.

Foundation volunteers Connie and Carla told the board the foundation focuses on literacy programs at elementary schools (including Oregon Battle of the Books), social‑emotional supports for middle‑school students, and scholarships for high‑school students. The foundation said it had donated more than 1,400 books to elementary libraries over two years and that a new trades scholarship was created after a local plumbers’ union approached the foundation.

Connie said the foundation pivoted some funds previously assigned to middle‑school summer programs into nutritional support for students this year, and Carla highlighted a program that gives small classroom setup grants to new teachers.

The foundation also reviewed the first Oregon Trail Game & 5K, which it inherited from the Downtown Merchants Association and hosted this year. Organizers said they attracted about 450 participants, including more than 100 children for a youth fun run that included educational activity stations. The event drew participants from outside the district and raised visibility for the foundation’s programs. Foundation volunteers encouraged community members to sign up as recurring donors via the foundation’s $5 superheroes monthly giving program and to consider sponsorship for next year’s event, scheduled for May 23, 2026.

The board thanked the foundation and its volunteers for supporting students and district staff and for coordinating community events.