Oxford School Foundation Celebrates Birthday with Football and Free, Family Fun

Ole Miss student Ryan Grover designed the 30th anniversary logo for OSDF as part of a contest in Prof. Emily Moore’s media design course.

For 30 years, the Oxford School District Foundation (OSDF) has been raising money for local classrooms.  Now, the organization is celebrating its 30^th birthday and inviting the whole community to join in the fun.

“We are fortunate to be a part of one of the greatest school districts in the state and want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has helped make it such a success for our students,” said Allyson Best, president of OSDF.

The OSDF 30^th Birthday Bash takes place August 26, starting at 5 p.m. on the practice field behind Oxford Middle School. The celebration of athletics and academics will kick off right before the home opener against Starkville.

The event is free and will feature bouncy houses, face painting, gridiron challenges, game day food for purchase and, of course, birthday cake.

OSDF will also be recruiting new members for the organization, which raises money to fund innovative teaching ideas submitted by teachers in the Oxford School District. This past year, the foundation awarded more than $50,000 to 28 teachers representing every school in the district, but Lolita Gregory, OSDF’s membership chair says the grants would not be possible without the organization’s donors.

“Having a membership is knowing that 100 per cent of the gift that you’re giving is going back to schools. We’re helping our schools stay on the cutting edge of technology and academics in general,” Gregory said. “Just knowing that you are a part of something that is going to last for years to come should make you feel good, too, because the things we purchase are things that can be used by students well into the future.”

The foundation’s goal is to sign-up 300 members this school year – ten for every year of the organization’s history.  A membership table will be set up at the Birthday Bash or those interested in learning more about the organization can visit the district website or OSDF’s Facebook page.

“The more members the better for our teachers.  We want them to have everything they need to continue making children’s education in the Oxford school district one of the best in the state of Mississippi,” said OSDF event organizer Ashley Luke.