Students in wheelchairs will have a smoother ride to class when school starts on Aug. 19 as the result of a project to improve accessibility in the special education area of Ramona High School.
Friends of Ramona Unified Schools (FORUS) in early July contributed $20,000 to the project’s total cost of $26,257.58. After requesting and receiving bids, the Ramona Unified School District
awarded the bid to the Ramona firm Hankins Construction, Inc.
The FORUS donation represents the proceeds from the Chip in for Education Golf Tournament presented by H5 Financial, a mortgage loan business owned by Shelly Heimer. It was the fifth
tournament H5 Financial has presented on behalf of FORUS.
“As an RUSD alumni with three daughters in the district and several friends as teachers, it means more than words can describe to be a FORUS partner,” Heimer said. “I wholeheartedly stand behind the mission and the members of this organization and selfless group of volunteers who commit themselves to service.”
In 2016, Heimer hosted H5 Financial’s first Chip in for Education golf tournament, a fundraiser that raised $7,500. With the exception of 2020, when the event was postponed because of
COVID-19 restrictions, she hosted tournaments annually. The 2017 tournament raised $7,000, 2018’s event raised $12,035, 2019’s raised $13,095, and this year’s, $20,000.
The money raised at this year’s tourney helped the district complete one of its numerous summer maintenance projects.
“Students in wheelchairs were actually having to travel through broken asphalt and gravel,” RUSD Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Rena Seifts said in an email. “Thanks to FORUS it will be a smooth journey for them. Also, the area just over the bridge coming from the Ag lot was also resurfaced so there won’t be a mud puddle when it rains.”
A shot of the broken asphalt and gravel at Ramona High School before a resurfacing project that will make it easier for students in wheelchairs to get to classes. FORUS donated $20,000 to the project.
(Courtesy Ramona Unified School District)
A shot after the resurfacing work at Ramona High School.
(Courtesy Ramona Unified School District )
In addition to the $59,630 H5 Financial tournaments have raised in the past six years, Heimer makes donations to FORUS from each loan she closes. Since 2018, those donations have totaled $35,900, bringing Heimer’s contributions to FORUS to more than $95,530.
One unique aspect of FORUS is 100 percent of donations go toward health and safety projects that benefit Ramona students and staff. Members personally cover other expenses.
FORUS, a nonprofit established in 2013 after RUSD’s 2012 $66 million Measure R bond bid failed, receives project suggestions from principals, parents, teachers, students, PTAs, community members and the district. It cooperates and works with the district to assure that projects proceed smoothly. Donations come from fundraisers, individuals, businesses and organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Ramona and Ramona Woman’s Club. In addition to Heimer’s golf tournaments, fundraisers such as a Vegas Style Game Night and Tips for Sips have been held.
“To say that we are proud of our partnership is an understatement,” Heimer said. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to contribute and support FORUS, RUSD and the community of Ramona.”
During the 2020-21 school year that ended June 30, FORUS donated $18,566 to the district in response to requests from schools: hand-held radios for Ramona Community Montessori School and Mt. Woodson Elementary School, correction of fire alarm deficiencies at Ramona High School, bottle fillers for Hanson Elementary School and an AED (automated external defibrillator) for the athletic department at RHS.
Among contributions in previous years are water fountains and bottle fillers at schools requesting them, AED batteries and units, “soft-fall” surfaces for elementary school playgrounds, a basketball hoop for kindergartners at Barnett Elementary School, money to re-key James Dukes Elementary School, sturdy soap dispensers at the secondary schools, electric hand dryers, roof repairs, $5,000 to match a Lowe’s grant to install higher fencing behind the middle school, and $10,000 toward the new playground at James Dukes Elementary School.
Heimer became involved with FORUS after RUSD’s $40 million bond bid, Proposition Q, failed in 2014. She was looking for a way to help support the schools.
“I was searching for options on how I could make a difference when I found FORUS,” she said. “I had no idea then that this partnership would evolve and grow to the magnitude that it has
today.”
At the end of this year’s golf tournament, FORUS members presented Heimer with a plaque thanking her for her many years of support.
Heimer and FORUS extended appreciation to the many sponsors who helped make the tournament such a success: Putting Sponsor Rancho Land Co., Pizza Sponsor Parkes Plumbing, Lunch Sponsor Woodson Wealth Management, Platinum Sponsor United Wholesale Mortgage, Gold Sponsor Brenda McGuinness with do Terra, Karen Domnitz Century 21 Award, Armstrong Land & Development, Southern Magnolia, Craft Signings, ACM Consulting, Juanita Cox Bookkeeping and Tax Service, Montessori Children’s House, Justin Shaw ReMax, H5 Financial, Ramona Community Theater, Shelter Island Capital, Bernd Brokerage, Ransom Pump, Ballpark Printing, ALTA Drywall, Oakwood Escrow, Ramona Dental, Cattle Dog Coffee Col, Amber Ramirez Farmers Insurance, VFW Post 3783 and MJN Real Estate.
FORUS members also thanked the individuals, businesses and organizations donating to the silent auction baskets.
FORUS meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month as needed in Olive Peirce Middle School Room A3, 1521 Hanson Lane. For more information, call 760-803-9706 or visit FORUS on Facebook.
Maureen Robertson, former Sentinel editor, is a FORUS board member
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Guest Commentary: FORUS donation helps smooth way for students in wheelchairs - Ramona Sentinel
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