The PHS Scholarship Fund Group has received an additional $1,000 in Challenge Matching Funds donated by the Platteville Development Group to increase the total to $11,000.

“The $1,000 matching gift donation was made by the Platteville Development Group to encourage our local students to continue their education and our community to support them with the challenging costs,” said PDG’s Jim Schneller, “We appreciate the opportunity to join the other businesses participating in matching funds to encourage others to help.

“Incenting our Platteville graduates to gain the post high school education tools necessary to gain a competitive edge will help our community, state and nation.“

“Students from Platteville High School are among the best and brightest in Wisconsin, and the class of 2013 continues that tradition,” said Sheila Kelley, president of the PHS Scholarship Fund, “Ambitious students are beginning to make their career plans, which include post-secondary education. Many students will decide it is too expensive to do alone and will look for ways to bring these costs down.”

“We need to be there for them,” said Zehra Muslu, PHS Scholarship Fund Director. “Obviously this $11,000 in matching funds puts us in a good position to make this year’s $50,000 goal (double last year’s goal) for May 2013 scholarships.

“It also means it is very important that the many good people that support education and our youth need to respond before Feb. 28, 2013 to take advantage of this full slate of matching gifts. We are hopeful that many may do so prior to Dec. 31 to take advantage of the tax benefit in 2012. Over $200,000 in endowed and spendable donations have been received over the past 30 months. Each of us can make a difference.”

To take advantage of the matching funds promotion, mail your donation to: PHS Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 46, Platteville, WI 53818, or give online at www.cfsw.org.