Once again eight North Shore area schools fine arts programs benefited thanks to successful sales of posters, T-shirts, food and beverages sold at the Third Annual Hale'iwa Arts Festival Summer Event.

The amount of funds available for distribution last fall increased from $200 per school in 1999 to $500 per school in year 2000. The Hale'iwa Arts Festival has, over the past two years, been able to provide a total of $5,600 in direct support for a variety of arts education programs here in the North Shore area. These monies were granted to the schools to be used for visual or performing arts projects as each school determined.

Recipients were Hale'iwa Elementary, Kahuku Elementary, Kahuku High and Intermediate, Sunset Beach Elementary, Waialua Elementary, Waialua High and Intermediate, Saint Michael's School, and Sunset Beach Christian School.

Comments from the schools: Kahuku High and Intermediate; "...our Show Choir, Vocal Motion... swept a national competition in Anaheim...", for music at Sunset Beach Elementary, "...pondering a financial problem that has been with us... surprise and delight when I read your letter...", Hale'iwa Elementary, "Your gifts of Aloha for two years now show your belief in our youth and our schools." Waialua High and Intermediate, "...music and visual arts programs will divide the money equally..."

Mahalo from other recipient schools included: "...helps fund some needs that our school budget could not support...", "...money will be used to enhance our fine arts curriculum.", "...what a wonderful and generous gesture...it is truly a blessing to receive such a gift". And from Paul G. LeMahieu, Superintendent of Education: "Please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your generous support of public education."

One school said it best last year, "Mahalo Nui Loa! Education is still our best investment."

Your involvement in the Hale'iwa Arts Festival through membership, contributions, in-kind goods and services, grants, corporate sponsorship, or by purchasing items from our "Cool Stuff to Buy", a beverage or a food item, renting a booth space, or by becoming a volunteer, all help to support this effort and the development of other arts activities within our community.

Your active support, attendance and participation in Hale'iwa Arts Festival programs, allows us to continue to produce our annual summer event and expand our services and assistance to area schools and other community arts efforts.

Even a little can mean a lot. Together we can make a bigger difference!