This year, the Eugene Education Foundation wanted to go beyond the usual appreciation efforts and create something that would directly connect our community with the educators who make such a difference in our students’ lives. Our inaugural Thank-a-thon, presented by SELCO Community Credit Union, provided a platform for students and community members to express their gratitude through personalized thank you notes.

Many people don’t realize that educators invest significantly in their classrooms from their own pockets. On average, teachers spend about $500 of their personal funds each year to ensure their students have the supplies they need. This statistic highlights precisely why the Eugene Education Foundation’s mission to fill budget gaps in our schools remains so critical.

The response to our Thank-a-thon was extraordinary. We successfully delivered 400 thank you notes to schools throughout the district, including Edison, Spring Creek, Arts & Technology Academy, North Eugene, and Willagillespie. Each note represented a moment of connection between our community and the dedicated professionals who shape our children’s futures.

One particularly heartwarming highlight came from Edison Elementary, where the “Leaders of the Future” club—comprised of enthusiastic 5th graders—organized a parade to personally deliver cards to their teachers. The excitement on both the students’ and teachers’ faces captured exactly what this initiative was all about: fostering meaningful connections and expressing authentic appreciation.

Looking Forward

The success of this year’s Thank-a-thon has inspired us to make this an annual tradition. By creating opportunities for our community to express gratitude, we strengthen the bonds between students, families, and educators while raising awareness about the ongoing needs in our schools.

We extend our deepest gratitude to SELCO Community Credit Union and all our sponsors, Ward Orthodontist, Dr. Larry Hirons, QSL Print along with EEF’s supporters who made this new approach to Teacher Appreciation Week possible. Your generosity helps us continue building a stronger educational community for everyone in Eugene.