Dear FUEL Community,
Thank you.
Thank you for every door you knocked, every letter you signed, every shift you took, every dollar you donated, and every neighbor you talked with. What we built this fall was bigger than anything we could have planned.
What You Did
When three of the five seats on our school board came up for election, we knew it was a chance to support three candidates truly worthy of the position. So we formed FUEL Forward PAC, which gave us a structure to do so. The eminently qualified Joan Malczewski, Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, and Kimberly Smith raised their hands to run. We knew that electing all three was essential, so we built a slate campaign that ran independently of their individual campaigns.
Then we asked for your help, and you said "Yes!"
In May, we told you that this election would be decided by neighbors talking to neighbors, and that there was a role for everyone, whether you had one hour or ten. We had no idea how many of you would give so much more than that.
You walked neighborhoods and knocked on doors. You signed hundreds of letters and delivered them on your own streets. You wrote letters to the editor. You took morning and evening texting shifts. You joined phone banks, chalked cars, delivered signs, and made banners. You volunteered with organizations across town that advocate for and support our schools. You opened your homes and invited your friends and neighbors. You stood outside the Farmers Market and spread the word. You filled your weekends and evenings with events, and you kept showing up, over and over again.
Many of you also gave your time to Measure A and the campaign for Safe and Modern Laguna Schools.
You did it with kindness, with joy, and with real love for this community. For that, we are forever grateful.
Who We Are
We are volunteers, families, friends, and partners. We are parents and grandparents, alumni, and longtime and new neighbors.
We are teachers and staff who canvassed and joined this effort while still showing up for our students every day. We are current and former community leaders who freely shared their support and guidance. We are community partners across town who stepped up. Together, we are a beautiful coalition.
This support comes from Laguna Beach and our LBUSD community. It comes from people who love these schools.
What We Built Together
FUEL started with a handful of parents at a table. Today, we are more than 200 volunteers, hundreds of families, and a whole community standing up for our students.
8,000 doors knocked
1,500 yard signs around town
Hundreds of letters delivered by hand
More than 300 donors to the campaigns and FUEL Forward PAC
A median donation of $100
88.9% of donors in the LBUSD area
Every dollar from individuals, with no contributions from corporations or unions
An independent campaign run by local parents and volunteers, and powered by our own community
Congratulations to Joan Malczewski, Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, and Kimberly Smith on their election to the LBUSD Board of Education. Congratulations to Mark Orgill, Sue Kempf, and Alex Rounaghi on their reelection to the Laguna Beach City Council. And congratulations to every neighbor who supported Measure A. Our students will learn in safe and modern schools for years to come. This community showed up for its schools, and the results speak for themselves.
Thank You
To every volunteer who knocked on a door, signed a letter, or took one more shift. To every neighbor who opened a home. To every donor, at every amount. To our teachers and staff, our partners, and the leaders who stand with us. To Joan, Shaheen, and Kimberly, for raising your hands and giving so much of yourselves to this community.
We are so grateful for what we built together.
With gratitude,
The FUEL Board
