In May of 2009 the Johnson family donated seed money to establish the Salmon Arm Secondary Athletic Endowment Fund as a way to show their appreciation for the benefits their family derived through their involvement in SAS Athletics. The purpose of the fund, to be held in perpetuity, will be to provide a source of funding for the many extra-curricular sporting activities students at SAS participate in, such as track& field, badminton, curling, cross-country running, tennis, golf, skiing, snowboarding, football, mountain biking, volleyball, basketball, rugby, and soccer. The Shuswap Community Foundation will be responsible for the administration and dispersal of the funds.
When J.L. Jackson Junior High and Salmon Arm Senior Secondary became Salmon Arm Secondary (SAS), the number of school teams increased dramatically, as did the number of students participating. At the same time, school district budgets were being slashed, and other sources of funding were also disappearing. The outstanding accomplishments of SAS athletes in the past, including 27 Senior Provincial championships, a number of Olympians and the SAS Wall of Fame Athletes attests to the quality of the athletic programs provided at SAS, and are a tremendous source of pride for the school and the community.
Athletic pursuits are a vital part of the educational experience, and SAS wants to continue to provide a quality Athletic Program in the future.
As a result of budget cuts and the loss of other sources of funding, the SAS Athletic Department has been running a deficit. A Community Athletic Meeting was held in April of 2009, out of which came the suggestion to create a permanent endowment fund to be held by the Shuswap Community Foundation that would provide an income in perpetuity to support SAS athletics. “In light of the recent government cutbacks, and the disappearance of BC Gaming funds, this was very wise planning indeed” says Cindy Derkaz, President of the foundation. A “booster club” was formed to begin the task of building the fund up to a goal of $100,000.
Rob Neid, SAS Athletic Director, Doug Adams of the foundation, a representative from the SAS community (former athlete and parent of current athletes), and a team of dedicated volunteers were the driving force behind the effort to get the word out into the community. The outcome, in Au gust of 2009, was an information package which was sent out to members of the athletic community, including individuals, families, organizations and businesses, who had benefited, or who were currently benefiting from involvement in SAS athletic programs. As a result, additional donations received to date have already increased the capital of the fund by another $2,000.
Donations to the fund are tax deductible. Anyone and everyone is welcome to donate. Donations of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a “Builders” plaque to be displayed in Salmon Arm Secondary School.
Beginning in 2010, the foundation will disperse the income generated by the fund to the SAS Athletic Program, in support of extracurricular sports at the Sullivan and Jackson campuses of Salmon Arm Secondary School.