During the entire month of February, the nonprofit NovatoSpirit will host a
Valentine Bake-a-thon to raise funds to help low-income kids in Novato participate in organized athletic activities. Our goal is to enable these kids to increase their health and feel the joy of movement.

You may be surprised at how many kids in Novato struggle with financial needs.  The Novato Unified School District estimates that about 35 percent of all NUSD students from elementary school through high school are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at school. This means that about 2,800 Novato public school kids are living in poverty.

NovatoSpirit wants to help these kids, many of whom are challenged with diabetes and other health problems that can improve with regular exercise. We are excited about our February bake-a-thon, because it enables us to do something sweet for these kids.

If you want to join in, we would greatly appreciate anything you cook up. You and/or your kids can create your own bake sale, baking goodies to sell to family members, friends, and neighbors. You can mail the money raised from your bake sale to NovatoSpirit and help a disadvantaged child get a sports scholarship. No cash please, only checks!  Checks can be mailed to: NovatoSpirit, 936 Seventh St., Suite B, PMB 236, Novato CA 94945.

Feel free to be creative with your fundraising! You don’t have to bake. You can host a garage sale, set up a lemonade stand, or create homemade stationery for Grandma to raise money. Do something fun!

Those with questions about NovatoSpirit can visit NovatoSpirit.org or contact me at 892-5118 marianschinske@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration.