The Edmonds Public Schools Foundation is raising $20,000 to support after-school study programs for struggling students — and they need your help. Your dollars will go even further because Campbell Nelson VW/Nissan in Edmonds has agreed to match each donation — up to $20,000. But you need to act by Dec. 31.

During this school year alone, Edmonds School District after-school study programs have helped 286 struggling students receive more than 350 hours of additional instruction, improving their math and reading comprehension and homework completion, noted Executive Director Deb Anderson. With Campbell Nelson’s match, “that’s a total of $40,000 for our students and their dreams!” she said.

Anderson offered the example of Melat, a 1st grade student from Ethiopia who spoke only Tigrinya, had never spoken English in her life and she was struggling to understand math. She participated in the after-school study program and this is what she had to say:

“Before Math Academy I was the worst student in math. I was frustrated and I got confused. It was the worst part of my year. I just hated math and I didn’t want to do it. Now, because of Math Academy, I am smarter and I’m really happy. I’m able to do the math and I’m getting closer to being a good student and getting good grades. I want to be a lawyer and that requires hard work…and other kids want to make their dreams too. Math is important in life and this will help us to get the goals that we want.”

You can contribute online at www.edmondspsf.org.