Henrico Education Foundation marks 30th anniversary with charity prize drawings

The Henrico Education Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary during the 2023-24 school year, beginning with a fundraising campaign kicking off Sept. 1.

Founded in 1993, the nonprofit partners with Henrico County Public Schools to provide school programming with an aim to address the opportunity gap and support Henrico’s most vulnerable students. The foundation has funded afterschool enrichment programs, family workshops, early learning programs, Community Learning Centers, and a number of grants and scholarships at several schools.

“Over the last 30 years, we’ve raised millions to support students in Henrico County Public Schools,” a statement on the HEF website reads. “In the coming months, we'll share some of the many ways our foundation has impacted HCPS students, schools and teachers in the last three decades.”

HEF will hold charity prize drawings in the next few months, with the first prize drawing on Sept. 1. Participants can make a donation of $30 or more during these months to enter in the drawings for prizes donated by HCPS teachers, students, and local business partners. All donations go towards programming for HCPS students.

The prizes highlight the skills and talents of HCPS students as well as local businesses in the area, according to HEF Communications Coordinator Cindy Brown. Prizes include tickets to Henrico Schools plays, musicals, and athletic events; food made by culinary students, a new garden bench created by masonry students; and an oil change by one of the local Midas of Richmond shops.

HEF will continue to post anniversary events, challenges, prizes, stories of impact, and opportunities to celebrate on this page. The foundation also encourages participants to follow HEF social media accounts and share HEF posts with the hashtag #HEFis30.

You can make a secure donation to HEF here. Donators can designate which program their donation will benefit using the form.