Middletown >> Every day Kelly Putrah drives her daughter to the south end of Lake County so she can attend Middletown Christian School, even though the family lives in Clearlake.
It may seem like a trek, but Putrah insists the education is worth it. “The teachers really do care about the kids,” she said. “I’ve seen my daughter grow with the attention that she’s getting.”
Like many private schools, however, funding extracurricular activities, scholarships, equipment and other necessary items often requires a little creativity. This Saturday, April 11, Middletown Christian School holds its annual Spring Dinner Auction, the proceeds of which go entirely to the school. Just a few of the live and silent auction items are Skunk Train tickets, a Pier 39 package including a Boat Ride Cruise, Disney Park Hopper passes, San Francisco Aquarium and Zoo tickets and Anne Klein luggage. Local business also make donations of gift certificates and baskets. Putrah said the event has a wide variety of items that are sure to appeal to many people.
This is the second year Putrah, who serves as Vice President of the Parent Teacher Organization, arranged the event. “This auction is a year-long planning process and it takes a lot of effort to put together, but the benefits are really great for the school,” she said.
Last year the auction raised just over $14,000 for the school. The money goes to educational field trips to Santa Rosa and San Francisco, scholarship for families who have trouble paying for tuition costs and educational tools. “Last year we bought computers so that the kids can learn how to do cover letters and resumes,” Putrah said. “We put the money toward the school, toward the people that need it.”
Covering these costs isn’t always easy for a private school like Middletown Christian. “We are not state or federally funded, we do not receive any money from anyone,” said Putrah. “It’s all non-profit.” They are dependent on fundraising to keep the school running.
The school is more than just an educational institution, according to Putrah. “We are very big on community based,” she said. “We give back to the community with the kids. Last year we had one student graduate and he ended up going on to Stanford. The teachers are really dedicated to the kids. They take a lot of pride in getting to know the families and getting to know the kids.”
The larger community has been supportive from the start. Last October the Wal-Mart in Clearlake donated pumpkins to the school’s pumpkin patch. Teachers and staff took the kindergarten through fifth grader classes to the patch in wagon wheels, where they learned all about corn and other autumnal subjects. “The community sees how much we put into the efforts,” Putrah said. “We took pictures of all the kids that went out to get their pumpkins and we sent those pictures back to those businesses that donated and just having a picture, it means a lot to the people that donate. We’re just kind of building a tight-knit community, just letting people know that these kids are growing up here. I think a lot of small town businesses see that and they want to donate to that because it’s for a good cause.”
And Middletown Christian School welcomes for everyone, whether they are part of the church or not. “You don’t have to be religious, you don’t have to be a member of the church. They’re open to the whole entire community, a lot of people just don’t know about the school,” explained Putrah. “We just really want to emphasize how open the school is to the community. There’s no judgment … It’s just a very open community-based environment that we have for the kids and I hope that’s well received within the community.”
While students do learn about the Bible, they also receive a well-rounded education. “That’s what the school represents — great education — but you’re also able to learn about God in a good, comfortable environment. They do get taught about the Bible, but you don’t have to go to the church to be a member of the school,” Putrah reiterated.
With students, staff and faculty traveling from around the county for the school, the educational value and community-based environment of Middletown Christian School is evident. “The school doesn’t exist because no one wants to go there. We have just under 100 kids in the school and the teachers are so great with the kids,” Putrah said. “We’ve managed to branch out to families all around the county. We are very branched out all over Lake County and it’s really amazing how far we have branched out and the community is widespread.”
In addition to the live and silent auction, the afternoon will see a Mexican dinner, a dessert auction and two mystery items. Clues are given throughout the night for these two items, which are revealed at the end of the auction. “It’s very kid friendly,” Putrah said.
The Spring Dinner Auction is Saturday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the Lion’s Club, 5399 Central Park Road in Middletown. Pre-sale tickets are avalible at $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 707-987-2556 for tickets.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
