Helping to Bridge the Digital Divide

Westerlay Orchids reaches a new record breaking figure with its week-long fundraiser

Since 2017, Westerlay Orchids has continued our tradition of community outreach and support by giving 100% of our week-long showroom sales to the local Carpinteria Education Foundation to help bridge the digital divide. We surpassed last year’s figure by raising $23,819 for our local students! Our company's owner and president, Toine Overgaag, believes our responsibility to the community does not start and stop at the greenhouse door.

 “We would not be where we are today without a strong local network behind us," Toine says. "This community’s success is our success - we both grow and thrive when we work together - and CEF is doing a great deal to ensure that Carpinteria’s next generation gets the support and resources they need during this extremely tough time. Thanks to so many, our community has raised over $23,000 dollars to support local students, this was well over our goal. 100% of the proceeds will be funding local hotspots, internet access, and technology for CUSD families in need. I’m beyond grateful to be able to support education in any way we can.”

We are best known for producing some of the finest flowers on the Pacific Coast – pledged a full 100% of our retail shop proceeds to help support local non-profit from August 31st through September 5th, 2020. Funds have been earmarked for technology necessary for distanced learning. These need based resources will help to bridge the digital divide and allow students to participate in online learning with their peers. We continue our commitment to serve the needs of the community and in this case, the needs are resources, such as reliable WIFI, hotspots and devices for online learning. In September of 2019, we raised over $18,000 for CEF and this year, raising over $23,000!

For more than 25 years, CEF has remained dedicated to the academic success of Carpinteria and Summerland students. The non-profit partners with local schools to provide scholarship opportunities and other essential resources to the city’s youth. CEF also helps shape Santa Barbara’s future by offering students skill-building in such areas as science and technology, language arts, humanities, culinary arts, and agriculture.

Read the full article on Coastal View News
Westerlay Orchids Breaks Fundraising Record for CEF