SOSCV! Phone-A-Thon in Need of Volunteers

Save Our Schools Castro Valley! (SOSCV!) plans on launching a one-month community phone-a-thon to by May.

The local nonprofit aims to raise $415,000 by May 15 to prevent the layoffs of 14 's K-3 teachers who were recently handed pinkslips.

President and Co-Founder Allen Mueller said SOSCV! is currently in the process of setting up various venues at local churches and realtor offices. A few volunteers have already joined a planning committee but he said the organization could still use more to help with the execution of this endeavor.

"We're not just in it for one cause," he said. "We're in it for all the students."

From coordinating phone lists to setting up social media sites, plenty of planning is still in the works. Mueller said the phone-a-thon will likely launch the week of April 15. Volunteers would call for two to three hours at least twice a week from their cell phones and the venue's landlines.

Though they are aware and appreciate , SOSCV! is looking to do their part in raising the money themselves — something they continuously do through.

"What happens if all the activism fails? Reality must set in. We need a final solution which is fundraising," said Vice President and Events Chair Steve Ontiveros.

He said those who are lobbying are encouraged to join in on the phone-a-thon either by volunteering or donating.

"There's always been two movements going on," Mueller added. "I think the raising of the money is a lot more harder and a lot more involved."

Since its formation in 2009, SOSCV! has contributed more than $135,000 to CVUSD. Most recently, it presented a check of $31,000 to the school board in January.

SOSCV! is also hosting another one of its regular fundraising events on March 29. is a night where several local civic and community leaders serve chips and salsa at for extra tips to go towards the local schools. The event is from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The tips collected from that night will go toward the targeted campaign of saving these K-3 teaching positions, according to Ontiveros.

If you are interested in volunteering for the phone-a-thon or serving at the "Tips for Education" fundraiser on March 29, you can contact SOSCV! at info@soscv.org.