Save money and help Shelby County Schools too.

That’s the goal of the 2005 Coupons For Classrooms fund-raising campaign coming to Shelby County Schools Feb. 14-28.

The event is sponsored by the Greater Shelby County Education Foundation with the goal of generating $150,000 for schools system-wide and $25,000 for classroom materials and equipment.

Carol Bruser, GSCEF executive director, explained that the coupon book offers $1,500 worth of savings, including $60 from Publix alone.

She said the new book will take the place of the old book that has been sold for the past 11 years.

&uot;The Education Foundation has worked very hard to make the coupon book user-friendly for residents living in the many communities that make up our county, and we plan to make it stronger each year adding new Shelby County businesses,&uot; she said.

&uot;Very often, the residents of non-school-age children do not know of the opportunities available to them to help their public schools. With the coupon book, they can help raise funds for the schools in their community while enjoying the savings included in the book.&uot;

Beginning Feb. 14, Bruser said, public schools in Shelby County will sell the coupon books for $15 with area schools retaining $7.50 per book sold.

In addition, the public education foundation will receive $1.25 per book sold for the Classroom Mini-Grant program. This program provides up to $25,000 in grants annually to teachers across the Shelby County System.

&uot;As a private, non-profit organization, the GSCEF depends on the generosity of the community in order to achieve its mission to enhance learning for Shelby County children.&uot;

Sponsored GSCEF programs include Classroom Mini-Grants, Teacher of the Year Awards, Health Room Provision Grants, Educator Professional Development Scholarships, Principal Partners and other educational initatives.

Bruser asked that the public show its support for Shelby County public schools by purchasing a book from a school in your community.

For information, contact Bruser at 980-8604 or email her at mailto:cbruser@shelbyed.k12.al.us.

– Fred Guarino