Buying books, gadgets and other supplies for South Whidbey schools has become more expensive. And the South Whidbey Schools Foundation will kick off a new fundraising and awareness campaign, We Support Kids, to boost its donations.

“Although we receive donations from several hundred individuals and a few businesses each year, the bulk of the $10,000 to $20,000 received annually comes from just a few wealthy donors,” said John Knox, the foundation’s president.

Under the We Support Kids campaign, donors will receive a decal when they donate. Decals can be displayed on a car, at home and on shop and restaurant windows throughout the community, both as a statement of support and as a way to promote the foundation’s existence.

“If we could add just 100 new donors, each giving $100, we would have an additional $10,000 to help fund innovative teaching projects in the district,” Knox said. “This would make a big difference, especially considering we had more worthy project requests for the 2012-13 school year than we had funds available to award.”

Foundation volunteers initiated the campaign by going to storefront businesses on South Whidbey to promote and seek support for the campaign. The decals may be obtained by donating through the foundation’s “click&pledge” option on its website, or by sending a check or money order payable to the foundation to P.O. Box 24, Freeland, WA 98249. A decal will be sent to the donor along with a receipt and a letter of appreciation.

Last year, the foundation donated nearly $19,000 to South End schools. More information can be found at SWSFoundation.org