Ten years ago this month, a group of educators and parents met to determine the feasibility of building a science lab that would take advantage of the natural resources and learning opportunity offered by Mobile Bay.  The result was the creation of the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF) and their signature project, the Pelican’s Nest Science Lab, now located at the Fairhope K-1 Center.

“We established lofty goals from our inception.  Through financial contributions from many individuals, particularly Pete and Marty Wiese, and through the perseverance of a few, the Pelican’s Nest became a reality. We haven’t looked back since,” said Cindy McBrearty, founding member of FEEF and former board president.  “Our board members – past to present – have been thoroughly committed to working hard for our schools.  There has been a ground swell of support from the entire community in embracing the goal of providing the best possible education for our children. We all believe that by building strong schools, we build a strong community.”

In July 2004, FEEF officially established its permanence.  The foundation had successfully raised $750,000 for its endowment campaign and by doing so, received a challenge grant of $250,000 from the Kresge Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation of South Alabama.   Having achieved a $1,000,000 endowment, FEEF will receive interest in perpetuity to help fund performing and visual arts programs, technology, professional development and other identified needs.  The endowment presently has a balance of more than $1.2 million.

“We are in a period where we are really reaping the rewards of our predecessors’ hard work,” said Chris Klinger, president, FEEF Board of Directors.  “We have been able to launch a free Tutoring Program this year for students in need, further assist with a Vertical Team effort among the K-12 schools to eliminate gaps and overlaps in the curriculum, and we are sending a group of administrators and teachers to a Professional Learning Communities Institute for an incredible professional development opportunity.  We’ve also worked to support existing initiatives at the schools such as securing flat top desks for the Alabama Math Science & Technology Initiative, and we’re currently working with Fairhope High School to pursue a long-held interest in initiating an International Baccalaureate program.  This is an exciting time to be a part of the Fairhope schools.

“With corporate partners like Terry Thompson Chevrolet, our annual spring fund-
raiser, the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, was the greatest ever, raising more than $64,000.  And with Page and Palette’s Dancin’ in the Streets which benefits FEEF, we were able to award $25,000 in Classroom Grants in December 2005,” added Klinger.  To date, FEEF has awarded more than $175,000 to all six Fairhope public schools for classroom grants.

FEEF’s signature event in the fall is Phantasy of the Arts, scheduled for November 4, which benefits the new Center for the Arts at Fairhope High School.  FEEF has pledged $200,000 to the Center for the Arts.

“During my eight years in Fairhope, FEEF has worked so well with principals and teachers to help us meet the needs of our students,” said Dr. Beverly Thomas, principal, Fairhope High School. “FEEF is not an organization that decides what it thinks is best and forges ahead without input from the principals.  Some of the opportunities FEEF has afforded us have made a large impact including professional development, vertical teaming, classroom grants and the great after school tutoring program. 

“We have been fortunate to continuously have community members who volunteer to serve as FEEF board members because public education is so valuable to this community.  We appreciate the vision that our community has for putting the time and money into our students because they are our future,” added Dr. Thomas.
FEEF’s mission is to provide and promote educational opportunities for all Fairhope public school students.  Its vision is to create the best schools in the nation.

For more information about FEEF, its history, events and programs, log onto www.feefonline.org or call Executive Director Heather Cunningham at 990-FEEF.