Bearden Middle gets $25,000 boost

Tracy Haun OwensFeature, West Knoxville

At last week’s student carnival, Bruinaroo, Bearden Middle School principal Mike Toth had already gone down in the dunk tank once, and there was a line of students waiting for their chance to toss him in the water again. He was granted a reprieve by the appearance of the school’s cheerleading and spirit squads, bearing an oversize check from the Bearden Middle Foundation. The ceremonial check represented the foundation’s $25,000 donation to purchase 80 iPads and 96 chargers for the school.

The Bearden Middle Foundation was established to provide financial and community support for Bearden Middle School, says Jessica Legg, whose husband, Jason, is the current president of the foundation’s board of directors. Parent volunteers, including the Leggs, established the foundation in 2017 and began fundraising in 2018 through donations, sponsorships and a spring fundraiser.

Jessica Legg says last spring’s fundraiser at The Standard was also a way for parents to get to know each other or for people who already knew each other to realize they all had kids at BMS.

“It’s such a big school,” she says. The Leggs, who have 13-year-old triplets at the school, were involved the foundation at their children’s elementary school, Sequoyah Hills Elementary. She says having a supportive principal like Toth and caring community members is key to the success of such a foundation.

The foundation, in turn, hopes to see that “every student will have the opportunity to achieve his/her highest potential,” according to the organization’s mission statement. The foundation has applied for 501(c)3 status and is awaiting approval. After approval, all donations will be retroactively tax exempt.

Info: https://beardenmiddleschoolfoundation.org.

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