Car Washes and Bake Sales Never Raised This Much Money

If tonight’s Hopkinson Elementary fundraiser—Hopkinson's Hukilau—goes as well as it has in past years, it will net upward of $100,000.

In an era when school programs have fallen victim to unparalleled budget cuts, the Los Alamitos Unified School District has been able to avoid layoffs and program cuts so far with help from local donors. Though the annual Hukilau is one of the highest-grossing fundraisers in the district, Hopkinson parents and supporters are not alone in shelling out big bucks to fund teachers and programs in the school. 

Numerous schools have similar parents groups that raise money to help pay for expenses that would otherwise not be covered by the district’s budget. Each year, the district receives about $800,000 to $900,000 per year in donations from all sources, said Patricia Meyer, assistant superintendent of business services for the district.

It illustrates the generosity of not only parents, but also the community as a whole, said Meyer.

One year, the event Hukilau raised nearly $140,000 in one night. Last year, one of the recession’s worst, the event raised $90,000 in a single night.

“The funds raised go directly to the classroom, and the Friends of Hopkinson presidents are good at ensuring that money reaches the kids,” said Tracy Lazar, co-chair of the 2011 Hukilau. “They all benefit by having computer tables, smart boards and aides, and without this money we would lose a whole lot.”

The money raised from the event goes directly to Hopkinson Elementary School and pays for such things as air-conditioning schoolwide, instructional aides and smart boards in classrooms.

Without the donations of the parents, the district “would not be able to offer the specified items that the fundraising was designated for,” Meyer said. This includes items such as smart boards and computers, and also instructional aides.

The Hukilau is sponsored by Friends of Hopkinson, a nonprofit parent group that works every year to provide Hopkinson Elementary School a massive donation to help the school with structural and personnel costs.

This year is the Hukilau’s 10th year, and tickets are nearly sold out. The event will be held tonight at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, and tickets are $75 per person. The price includes a dinner, dance and silent and live auctions.

The live auction is where the majority of the money is raised, and each year, the organizers strive to present items that are unique. Some of the items this year include a baseball experience for 12 children with Jered Weaver, a golden retriever puppy, Taylor Swift tickets for four, a Mahi dinner in Dana Point for eight, and a Magic Castle dinner for eight.

The silent auction will feature items such as designer handbags, birthday parties for kids from Kidnastics, dinner gift certificates from local restaurants, and cashmere sweaters.  

Every year, the efforts of the parents impress, said Linda Stewart, principal of Hopkinson Elementary.

“We have amazingly dedicated families that put this together every year,” Stewart said. “Our parents really care about education and not only give their time and talent to the school, but also dollars to help make a better education a reality for their kids.”