In the midst of the holiday season, we share this message from Alyssa Petrella, a Ft. Hayes graduate who is the Development and Public Relations Director of I Know I Can:

Dear Educators:

As we enter this holiday season and the start of a new year, we ask all CEA members to consider I Know I Can in charitable giving this year. Our mission is to inspire, enable and support CCS students in pursuing and completing a college degree. Each year, we host dozens of events to guide families through the college application and funding process. I Know I Can is making great strides in ensuring post-secondary success for CCS students. With your help, we have guided CCS graduates to earn more than 22,000 grants valued at nearly $23 million and leverage more than $300 million in additional financial aid. We also have shown middle school families how they can start planning now to afford college tuition.

But each year there is a new group of students looking forward to a college education and not sure how to get there. We know that you are a major factor in their lives. I Know I Can is an important way you can make sure your influence and caring follow them after graduation.

To ensure their success, visit www.iknowican.org, and click on “donate.” If you have questions, call me at 233-9510.