Now in their second year, the Friends of Renton Schools is hosting a benefit breakfast with keynote speaker Sally Jewell, CEO of REI on May 5.

The event will be hosted by “Evening Magazine” host Meeghan Black and begins at 7:30 a.m.

Last year the group raised $198,552 and money went to the district to augment its “Getting to Graduation” program and reading and math literacy support programs.

Funds this year will go to other proven programs that help academic achievement, said Sherre Piantanida, volunteer chair and executive director of FoRS.

Their costs last year were 19 percent and they are hoping to keep them even lower this year, she said.

FoRS was started in 2009 by educators, business owners, civic leaders and community volunteers. Their aim is to address the ongoing problems arising from state and federal education budget deficits and the impact they have on the quality of public education in the Renton School District.

The benefit breakfast is their primary fund-raiser for the year, but they hope to add another fund-raiser to their planned events for the 2012-2013 school year.

Piantanida said that FoRS is trying to model its efforts after the successful school-based, fund-raising groups in Bellevue and Mercer Island.

They plan to do more grant research in the future and act as a clearinghouse for grants for the district.

The Renton School District once had a part-time grant writer, Piantanida said, but now that responsibility falls to teachers for all grants outside of the major ones the superintendentent’s office handles.

Recently they found a Boeing Employees Credit Union grant that they were able to pass on to the district. Teachers applied and received nearly $7,000.

“Our efforts are to support programs at the district that encourage academic achievement,” Piantanida said.

The group’s goal after the breakfast is to see how they can grow further.

Piantanida said that ideas and participation are welcome.

For more information about FoRS visit www.friendsofrentonschools.org.

Breakfast for schools

“LAUNCHING LIFETIME LEARNING” BENEFIT BREAKFAST

WHAT: The Friends of Renton Schools Second Annual benefit breakfast in support of Renton schools with speaker Sally Jewel, CEO of REI

WHEN: Thursday, May 5, Registration 7 a.m., Breakfast program 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m.

WHERE: Renton Pavilion Event Center, 233 Burnett Ave. S.

COST: Free attendance with suggested $100 contribution minimum

RSVP: Contact Pam Teal at mpteal@comcast.net