David Simmons, president, and Amy LeCoke, executive director, introduced the Camas Valley Community Foundation to the Kamas City Council on Aug. 12, outlining a broader mission that keeps education at its core while adding humanitarian, arts and recreation pillars.

The foundation replaces and broadens the work of the South Summit Education Foundation (organized in March 2014). Under the new bylaws approved by the school board, donors may designate gifts to the four pillar areas or to a general fund that will primarily support education.

Simmons and LeCoke described the foundation’s near-term activities: recruiting board members for pillar committees, holding a board meeting Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Event Center, and hosting a “Mingle & Jingle” fundraising event on Friday, Dec. 5 that the foundation hopes will attract businesses and community donors.

LeCoke said the foundation will continue scholarship and teacher-recognition programs: last year the foundation provided scholarships covering about 80% of the graduating class, roughly $1,000 per student on average. The foundation is creating a website and a Facebook presence and asked the council to refer prospective donors and developers who want to invest in community projects.

Council members thanked the foundation for its work during Fiesta Days and for continuing scholarship and teacher recognition work under the expanded structure.

Ending: The foundation asked for informal support and public awareness; no city budget action or formal partnership was proposed at the meeting.