Trumansburg Education Foundation releases 2022 annual report

The Trumansburg Education Foundation (TEF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization run by a volunteer board of directors, has released its 2022 annual report, highlighting its many successes in the community. 

The foundation advocates for students and teachers in Trumansburg by providing educational opportunities that promote growth, wellness and excellence. Genna Knight, president of the TEF, views it as a collaborative effort involving the foundation and its many volunteers.

“We would not be able to do the work that we do without the generous contributions of our donors and the time given by our volunteers,” said Knight.

This spring, the 19th volume of the Trumansburg Troubadour, a student newsletter supported by the TEF, will be published, providing district and community news. 

Knight also shared that the foundation will publish the first creative edition of the Trumansburg Troubadour in the coming weeks.

“This new issue was inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity of young Trumansburg artists, authors and photographers, who are eager to share their excellent creative work with our community,” Knight said. 

In light of the return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation also intends to revive some favorite events, such as the May Day 5K. The foundation will join forces with the Trumansburg Elementary and Middle School Parent Teacher Organizations to bring back the 5k to the community this spring. 

The race will be held on Saturday, June 3 and will include a short Fun Run at 10 a.m., followed by the 5K at 10:30 a.m. 

“The May Day 5K tradition began in Trumansburg in 2011 and continued through 2019, but it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic,” Knight said. “We are excited to celebrate the comeback of this special race, now in its 10th year, as a chance to bring our community together for a wellness event and to cheer on the Trumansburg Girls on the Run team.” 

According to the TEF website, Girls on the Run is a nonprofit “dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.”

Knight said the girls will finish their season by participating in the 5K and looks forward to seeing them surrounded by fans in their hometown. 

The TEF will also continue the legacy of the late Betty McKnight. Knight explained that McKnight was a beloved and active resident of Trumansburg who dedicated her life’s work to engaging students.

“Thanks to Betty’s incredible gift of $208,584.00 in 2020, she will continue to have an impact on educational opportunities in our community for years to come,” Knight said. “In 2022, the foundation created the Betty McKnight Legacy Award in her honor, to celebrate a member of our community whose values reflect her dedication to hands-on learning.”

Community members nominate candidates in the spring. At the end of the summer, a recipient is selected in a blind vote by the TEF board of directors. 

“We are excited to present the second annual Betty McKnight Legacy Award to a community member in August 2023,” Knight said. 

The foundation will also continue to support pre-K through grade 6 field trips through the Kids Discover the Trail program and Youth Art Month in March, when students in those grades participate in special art projects and workshops. 

“Youth Art Month culminates in a gallery event and art auction where students will have a chance to showcase and, possibly, auction off their art,” Knight said. “In June, the foundation will award a $1,000 Community Service Scholarship to a graduating senior in recognition of their commitment to community service.”

The foundation president also reflected on a donation from the Duddleston family, who gifted the foundation $23,677 in 2019. The sizable donation came at a critical time for the foundation and the community, said Knight, and still has a positive impact today. 

While the foundation has long supported wellness programs mostly geared toward nutrition, such as Rainbow Salad Days, the Big Apple Crunch event and farm-to-table tastings in the middle school, the pandemic changed the meaning of wellness.

“Priorities shifted as mental, social, emotional and physical needs were more important than ever, particularly for students, teachers and families who were isolated at home, struggling to juggle school, work and emotional well-being,” Knight recalled. 

When the pandemic continued into 2022, the foundation recognized that many students had missed out on important social events and field trips and experienced cancellations.

“The foundation has made it part of its mission to expand our wellness program to support initiatives aiming to enhance social and emotional well-being, in an effort to cultivate a healthy environment for successful learning,” Knight said. “Wellness needs will continue to evolve as we navigate this pandemic. The Trumansburg Education Foundation is committed to supporting the changing educational needs of our community, and we could not do it without the generous support of donors like the Duddleston family.”

In addition to monetary contributions, the foundation welcomes individuals who wish to donate their time.

“The continued support of our school and community is essential to our success in raising funds to inspire opportunities for growth, wellness and excellence in the Trumansburg community,” Knight said. “We are continually humbled by the generosity of our donors and are incredibly grateful for [their] support.”

The annual report can be viewed by visiting tburgedfoundation.org/annual-reports. 

If an individual or business would like to help sponsor the May Day 5K event, please email contact@tburgedfoundation.org. 

All donations are tax deductible and may be mailed to May Day 5&5, c/o Elementary PTO, 100 Whig St., Trumansburg, NY, 14886.  Donations are also accepted online by visiting Paypal.me/TburgElemPTO. All funds raised will be used to directly benefit students and teachers in the district.