1) Tell us a little about your family. How many kids, how many grandchildren? Where are they?
We have three children, all married and seven grandchildren from 15 years old to 7 months old. Three of those grandchildren live in Park City and attend Treasure Mountain Jr High, Ecker Hill Middle School and McPolin Elementary. The other two families are in California.
2) You’ve given to PCEF since 2012. Why did you give that first gift?
Our daughter, Jodey Fey, is a board member of the Park City Education Foundation and spoke to us about the need in Teacher Grants and other needs as well. She also educated us on the importance of PCEF for all our schools and the important projects that it funds. We then gave our first gift and have gifted every year since.
3) What is it about PCEF that inspires you to continue giving?
We are inspired to keep giving by seeing and hearing from the amazing young people who benefit from programs funded by the Ed Foundation. We also are acutely aware of our tax dollars being reallocated to other, more needy communities in Utah. Only 4% comes back to Park City. It is shocking to us but a reality that, so far, we cannot change. Therefore, people like us must fill the gaps as best we can both financially and the gift of time if we are able.
4) You give to PCEF’s general fund and the Teacher Grants/Classroom Grants program. Why do you give to those areas?
We give to the General Fund so that the knowledgeable people at the Ed Foundation can use the funds where they are most needed. We also give to the Teacher Grants so our hard working teachers apply for funds that they deem necessary to be successful in their classrooms – whether it’s to try a new idea, or expand on something that woks but isn’t in the district budget.
5) Do you have a story about a favorite PCEF program, a PCEF program that impacted your grandchildren, or a PCEF program that impacted many children?
I was at a meeting at the University of Utah Health Sciences a week ago, and two young Park City High School seniors, who are in the PCCAPS (Park City center for Advanced Professional Studies) program, were part of the presentation with the featured dermatologist. Their high school project is to develop a device to register how much damaging UV one gets hiking, biking, skiing etc. They are amazingly impressive and made me proud to be from Park City and of our PCCAPS program which encouraged them to create and research.
6) What would you say to other families, especially grandparents, who may not realize why PC public schools need private funding?
I would encourage all parents and grandparents to give if they can to the Ed Foundation because that is where the differences are made. We can be a good school system with the basics or a GREAT school system with the help of the Ed Foundation. I want my grandchildren and yours to get the best opportunities possible!
