An annual fundraiser nets a big check for local schools. “Ski for Schools has been a program that's been raising funds for the Education Foundation for Bend La Pine Schools for about six years. Executive Director Heather Vistadt with the Foundation says the fundraiser was very successful this year. "We raised over $21,000 in support of both Bend La Pine and Redmond School Districts. So we are really excited about it and we are really thankful to the community for their support." Vistadt says over the past six years, the Ski for Schools Program has raised about $120,000 for the Bend La Pine and Redmond Schools. The money is used in various ways; to help kids pay for extracurricular activities, or to help teacher purchase needed materials and equipment for the classrooms. She adds that the next big fundraiser will be a chili cook off and rail jam at the Athletic Club of Bend. If you have one of the “Ski for Schools” vouchers this is the only week you can use it at Mt. Bachelor.