The 3rd installment of the modern Cow Paddy 5k and 1 mile Fun Run was completed Saturday, March 9th at Gulley Park in Fayetteville. The event was revived in 2011 by Max Mahler and Ben Putman, Fayetteville public school alumni and running enthusiasts. The two race directors, recent graduates of the University of Arkansas, chose Fayetteville Public Education Foundation as the recipient of the race’s charitable donation, with a bonus going to the elementary school with the highest attendance, Butterfield Trail.According to Putman, “The Cow Paddy was the first run I ever competed in and it sparked a lifelong passion for running. We wanted everyone in the area to have that opportunity again.” The mission of the Cow Paddy Foundation is to promote education and fitness, and to bridge the gap between the two. Mahler has said, “We believe that the healthy development of our community is tied to quality education received by physically active individuals. We want parents and children alike to feel comfortable with exercise, even outside of organized sports, because of the many proven benefits an active lifestyle can provide in other areas of life, such as studying.” In the future, we at FPEF hope to see the Cow Paddy grow even more. Thank you to the Cow Paddy Foundation for your efforts!
Thank you, Altrusa of Fayetteville!
The Fayetteville Education Foundation received a gift from Altrusa of Fayetteville to support “Girls Rock” at McNair Middle School. Each year, the Girls Rock program provides around 20 young women the opportunity to grow socially, personally, and emotionally with the help of positive role models. With a variety of tools, from guest speakers to Walton Arts Center performances, Altrusa participants practice skills which give them a head start to successful careers and lives. Thank you, Altrusa!
Cow Paddy Run Saturday, March 9
The Cow Paddy Run is a historic Fayetteville run founded in 1989 to benefit Fayetteville’s 
own Gulley Park. The proceeds from the original race helped create the park’s path, gazebo, and other amenities that park patrons enjoy today. The new race directors’ love for running, the Fayetteville community, and their interest in the healthy lifestyles of young people inspired them to bring back this wonderful race in 2011. The race continues in the path of philanthropy with proceeds going to the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation and the Cow Paddy Foundation.
Kids and their K'Nex Kits
Students in Mrs. DeSoto’s fifth grade science classroom had the opportunity to build simple and compound machines using K’Nex kits purchased through a Fayetteville Education Foundation grant. See http://www.fayar.net/community/kinexkits.html for the complete story.
Kids and their K’Nex Kits
Students in Mrs. DeSoto’s fifth grade science classroom had the opportunity to build simple and compound machines using K’Nex kits purchased through a Fayetteville Education Foundation grant. See http://www.fayar.net/community/kinexkits.html for the complete story.
Thank You, Tyson Foods!
TYSON FOODS SUPPORTS AGRICULTURE EDUCATION THROUGH $75,000 GIFT TO FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Tyson Foods has pledged a gift of $75,000 to the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation to benefit the Agricultural Science Programs in the Fayetteville School District.
This gift, made through Tyson Foods’ Corporate Charitable Giving Program, fits the Company’s commitment to funding outstanding programs and projects pertaining to the education of students and the promotion of the study of Agriculture, among other fields.
“It is a wonderful gift and the beginning of a great partnership with Tyson Foods,” says Superintendent Vicki Thomas. “These funds will focus on enhancements for our Agricultural Science Programs, leading to college and career-ready graduates.”
The gift comes to the district at a very exciting time. The Fayetteville Schools Agriculture program is expanding rapidly. When Phase II of the new Fayetteville High School is completed in 2015, students will enter a new era in agricultural education. The new agriculture facility at FHS will offer students three new classrooms, space for agri-business, indoor and outdoor science labs (with space for live animals), a greenhouse and three new shops to accommodate gas engines and electronics, welding and carpentry, and woodworking. “This is one of those rare chances that an educator gets to expand their program and be able to teach and operate with equipment and materials that are not always within reach, says Bill Laney, FHS Agriculture Instructor.
The Fayetteville Public Education Foundation will utilize this gift to fund innovative agriculture programs and projects through the Foundation’s annual grant process. The funding from Tyson Foods will aid in purchasing tools, equipment and supplies to train future agri-scientists. Funding will also impact the programs at Woodland and Ramay Junior Highs – the four agriculture teachers serve not only FHS but the Junior High programs as well. There are consistently 375-400 students served by the Fayetteville Schools Agriculture program. And, within the Fayetteville School District, the study of agriculture is consistently in the top five with students’ interests.
About Tyson Foods Charitable Giving:
Tyson Foods is committed to providing community support and charitable contributions that make a difference to Team Members, their families, consumers and the communities in which they live and work. Tyson Foods has fought hunger in the U.S. for a decade, donating more than 86 million pounds of protein. The company partners with Food Research and Action Center, Feeding America, Share Our Strength, Lift Up America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. As part of its 2012 “Show Us Your Nugget Face” promotion (www.ShowUsYourNuggetFace.com), where the public voted on their favorite children pictured with Tyson Chicken Nuggets, Tyson Foods pledged to donate 1 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations across America.
In addition to the company’s primary national hunger relief efforts, Tyson Foods invests in community projects that can deliver measurable results for sustainable improvements in the communities in which there are Tyson Foods operating locations. Tyson Foods focuses the majority of its charitable investments in targeted areas of Hunger Relief, Health and Human Services, Education, Community Development projects, and specific Military/Veteran programs. More information can be found at http://www.tysonfoods.com/About-Tyson/Charitable-Giving-Guidelines.aspx.