CLASS OF 1995

Gift

Update: we donated $710! Thank you letter from Chesapeake Public Schools Foundation

The original thought behind what we are now calling our class gift was that we wanted there to be something tangible remaining after our reunion was over. Something more permanent and enduring. The question then became: what should that be?

Our first thought was we could donate to the children of alumni who are no longer with us. However, concerns about how to divide any collected amount (per family or per child?), how to continue in the future, what age constitutes a child (18 or college age?), and an array of other logistical concerns led us to seek other possible recipients.

We've come up with a recipient that we feel pretty strongly matches the original mission behind the gift and one that we think will resonate well with most alumni. Do you remember field trips to the Chesapeake Planetarium? It turns out that the equipment that was already two decades old when we enjoyed it has not been replaced since we were taught on it. That leaves it approximately a half century old. As you well know, computers have come a long way since the 60s and the City of Chesapeake is seeking funds to replace the equipment that makes the Chesapeake Planetarium what it is.

The Trustees of the Beazley Foundation have approved a challenge grant of $125,000 to the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation for technological improvements to the Chesapeake Planetarium. The Foundation is required to raise $250,000 in matching contributions, and once the total of $375,000 is reached, the funds will be used to purchase a new digital star projector system to replace the 1960s equipment presently in the Planetarium.

That's where we come in. All the money that we collect for the class gift will go directly toward the new Planetarium equipment. Our hope is three fold: to directly contribute, to raise awareness about the Planetarium's goals, and to help inspire other high school classes to develop a gift in the name of their reunion.

For all of those who have already donated: thank you! More than 5 out of 6 ticket sales have included donations. For those interested in donating, you can do so on the reunion page when you purchase your ticket. If you're interested in donating more than the option available to you on the reunion page, please email info at gbhs95 dot com. You'll also be able to donate at the reunion.