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Cortney Cooper has been named the development director of FORCE, Fort Osage Resources Champion Education. A Blue Springs High School graduate, Cooper owns Stretch-n-Grow, a company that teaches physical fitness classes to pre-schoolers. She is also an active volunteer in organizations such as Harvesters as well as in her own church, Lakeland Community Church.
| 1. What are your responsibilities as development director? |
Developing long-term donors through a designated planned giving program with Truman Heartland Community Foundation, and meeting with the people of our community to expand the reaches of our foundation so that more funds are available for student scholarships and teacher classroom grants. |
| 2. Why was this an organization that you wanted to be a part of? |
My father, Dave Coffman, was a principal for over 30 years (in Plattsburg and Raytown) and my mother, Rosemary, worked in the Central Office (Blue Springs) for more than 25 years. I know the importance of education at every level and what a difference it makes in not only the lives of the students, but the community as a whole. Fort Osage serves several neighboring districts with their Career Technology Center, including Blue Springs, where I graduated from. I believe this district is a real “force” for positive change and growth in our Kansas City metro area, and I want to be a part of this organization that furthers that mission. |
| 3. What is the purpose of FORCE? |
FORCE is a foundation, separate from the Fort Osage School District. Its purpose is to provide student scholarships and teacher classroom grants. We want to do what we can to help a student reduce their college debt and to help a teacher provide creative projects for their students. The more funds we raise, the more students and teachers/classrooms we can help. |
| 4. Why is FORCE a benefit to the community? |
Now more than ever, FORCE is a necessity to the school district as we continue to endure reductions in state funding to our public schools. It is my hope that FORCE can educate the public in respect to the importance of charitable contributions to our educators and the kids they serve. |
