By Sara Ballenger

Sara Ballenger/Town Crier

The Los Altos Village Association (LAVA) and local merchants teamed up to help the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) raise funds with a downtown shopping day Sunday.

A percentage of the sales from 16 downtown stores was donated to the foundation.

“We were just excited in having the community and the businesses in Los Altos participate in this fund-raising event,” said Rae Lee Hansen, president of LAEF. “It’s our first foray into the broader community supporting LAEF, and it’s wonderful that so many merchants joined in the program.”

This is the first time this fund-raiser has been held in six years and the first time proceeds will go solely to LAEF.

“We had done this before,” said Linda Dodge, owner of Lin’s Toy Cupboard. “It was nice to bring that back to downtown Los Altos. We haven’t done it for a few years, and extra funding is the only way to get the extra resources the schools need.”

LAEF expects to come closer to its goal of raising $1.278 million for the Los Altos School District. With the school district facing a $3 million deficit this coming school year, the foundation’s fund-raising efforts are crucial to keeping art, music and physical education in the classrooms, Hansen said.

“We really appreciate the local merchants helping the foundation in their fund-raising,” said Marge Gratiot, superintendent of the Los Altos School District.

LAVA and the downtown merchants are also happy to help out. “It’s beneficial to the business and a good way to give back to the community,” said Kathleen Byrne, executive director of LAVA.

Many of the downtown merchants have or had children in the Los Altos School District. “I have a child who has gone through the Los Altos school system, and most of my employees have children,” said Lynda Newlon, owner of Acacia C. “It also helps the merchants by bringing more business downtown on a Sunday, which is great.”

Craig Cousins, owner of Cover Story, has two children who attend Loyola School. “We always make a point to support local schools,” Cousins said. “This is a nice way for the downtown merchants, as a group effort, to support one of the largest associations that support local schools.”

The exact amount raised by the merchants for LAEF will not be available for a few weeks, Hansen said.

Dennis Rich, Acacia C, Cooks Junction, Calla, Janus, Cover Story, Young Villagers, Sassy, Marion Jackston, Cranberry Scoop, Los Altos Card & Party, Lin’s Toy Cupboard, Cavalo da Peninsula, Linden Tree Children’s Records & Books, Design & Interiors and Preston’s Candy & Ice Cream donated proceeds. Fast Frame, Flooring Options, Dean’s Designs and the Town Crier all provided donations for the event.

For more information about the foundation, logon to www.laefonline.org.