The Soroptimist International Club of Auburn recently presented a $3,000 check to Gildo Rey Elementary School Principal Robin Logan to help some of her fifth-graders attend spring camp.

Many fifth-graders financially are unable to attend, but the Soroptimists’ donation will help make it possible for kids to participate, school officials said. Nearly 80 percent of the students at the school receive free/reduced lunch and breakfast every day, and as of last week only two of the 60 fifth-grade students have fully paid their $148 to go to camp, according to the school.

Gildo Rey fifth-graders are scheduled to go to Camp Auburn at Lake Retreat the week of June 8-11.

Last school year, Logan put out a request to staff members in her building to contribute to the Camp Auburn fund. She was able, through the generosity of her own staff, to collect $3,200 to send the last 32 students to camp.

Logan often hears stories about students mired in financial hardships.

“One student’s diligence, in regard to academics, has lead to significant growth and because of his upbeat attitude, you would never know the realities of his home situation,” Logan said. “His father lost his job and is at the point of asking to do yard work for neighbors. He handed back a black permission slip, explaining that he can’t go to camp because he can’t ask his parents for money he knows they don’t have.”

To learn more or to donate to the cause, please visit www.auburn.ciswa.org.

If an individual wants funds to go directly to students at Gildo Rey Elementary who need Camp Auburn registration fees, make a check payable to the Auburn School District. In the memo portion of the check, write Barb McDonald Fund. McDonald was a longtime employee at Gildo Rey Elementary who has since passed away. The school created the memorial fund to support needy students for Camp Auburn.