Also on the 19-member EEF board are: Mary Adato, resident and school volunteer; George Aleman, Von’s store manager; John Moot, resident and attorney; local resident John Nelson, plant manager at Leviton; and Steve Miesen, resident and manager at Pacific Waste Services.

According to EEF President Bill Ostrem, “the board is comprised of residents, business leaders and school principals who volunteer their time and expertise to assure the highest quality educational opportunities for all students.”

Marking its fifth year, the non-profit EEF has raised more than $300,000 for five public schools – the four neighborhood schools and the local middle school. The funds have been used to provide high-tech equipment and services to K-12 classrooms, and to build and equip the EastLake High School Observatory – the only one of its kind on a California high school campus.

The EEF holds several fundraising events each year to generate money for area schools. Most recently, a golf tournament held at the EastLake Country Club raised more than $40,000.

Other annual events include the Punt, Pass and Kick competition hosted by the NFL retired players association in January, a gala silent-auction dinner theatre in March, and Cycle EastLake!, the EEF’s most popular fundraiser in April.

The EEF’s annual membership drive currently is underway with tax-deductible contribution levels ranging from $25 to $500. More details may be found at www.eef@eastlakeco.com.

The foundation was established in 1995, under the vision and critical financial leadership of The EastLake Company, developers of the 3,200-acre master-planned community in eastern Chula Vista. Since 1986, EastLake has been building its reputation as a desirable community in which to live, work and play. For more information about EastLake, call or visit the HomeFinding Center at (619) 421-3111 or log on to www.eastlake.net. To visit, take I-805 to Telegraph Canyon Road and go east and follow the signs to EastLake.