Adopt-A-School started with a simple idea in 2002. That idea was for businessmen in Wichita to align themselves with schools in the area and donate items to those schools that were needed. It then evolved into helping teachers and kids. After Les Eck, owner of Rusty Eck Ford and his wife Pam heard from teachers how a lot of kids were coming to school and didn't even have the basic supplies to learn, they started a golf tournament to raise money for classroom books and supplies. Area golfers became great partners in helping raise money we could give teachers to help buy supplies for kids or the classroom. Area business's also stepped up and donated food, drink and prizes so 100% of proceeds go to the teachers and kids. Not many charities or fundraisers can say that. The teachers started volunteering to help at the tournament and the golfers got to hear heartwarming stories of how the money is used.

When the golf tournament maxed out, Les & Pam started the Adopt-A-School car giveaway. They kept buying cookie dough, candy, etc and the organization or school only kept a small percentage of each dollar. Les & Pam never ate any of that stuff so they said there has to be a better way to get them a greater percentage of fundraising money. So each year Les Eck and his wife Pam donate a car to be given away to the lucky winner.

The charity has evolved beyond schools. Any non-profit organization, school fundraiser, church, group, or charity can sign up for the tickets.

A suggested donation of $10 per ticket is then kept by the selling organization. So again, 100% of proceeds are kept by the group that raised them. The winner gets to pick a vehicle from one of the participating stores that is valued up to $25,000. This has grown each year with one classroom collecting over $40,000 for their project.

For more information on participating in the Adopt-A-School program, please call us at 316-691-5559 or email Dannielle Fisher