Roger Ashcraft (class of 1955) and Buddy Stark (class of 1986) joined forces in 2013 to establish fundraising efforts for special projects to benefit the Erie and Neosho County community. The fund is the Erie Alumni Initiative. Nancy Womeldorff Calkins (class of 1966), Jennifer McCoy Harmon (class of 1990) and Dan Rose (class of 1993) have been helping keep the initiative moving forward. In the fa
ll of 2013 a postcard was mailed to alumni whose names were listed on the all-school alumni list. Since 2013, several donations from alumni and residents have been submitted to the fund and a portion of the money has been donated to projects happening in the community. Interested alumni and residents who have not yet donated and wish to be a part of the initiative can send in tax exempt donations to:
THE ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. At the bottom of the check note it for ERIE ALUMNI INITIATIVE. Mail to : Mike Page, Erie Bank of Commerce, 318 South Main, Erie, Kansas 66733. The Erie Alumni Initiative will soon be showing appreciation of all donors with a recognition of donor names submitted to the Erie Record. The initial priority project the fund was eager to help with was the City of Erie Comprehensive Park Plan which includes refurbishing the swimming pool, new park and restroom facilities, new RV park and the Dorris Dinosaurs --- Erie Dinosaur Park, multi-use amphitheater park, walking trails and upgraded technology for the CUSD #101 students. To date, the fund has made donations to the Erie Dinosaur Park, youth train, and the joint City of Erie/CUSD #101 GIS-GPS technology projects, which includes field data collection and mapping for the City's utilities, and eventual high school student technology development projects.
