Eric Saler might become an accountant someday, but until then, he rattles off some simple math.

“I’m the first one in my family to go to college ever,” the Johnson County Community College freshman said. “Neither my mom or I have very high income, and without that scholarship I probably wouldn’t even be able to go.”

Saler is one of 24 students who received a college scholarship from the Lawrence Schools Foundation in spring 2004.

The foundation still needs $10,000 to meet a fund-raising campaign goal of $28,000 by Dec. 31, but it accepts donations year-round.

The campaign started in November and is asking for donations from families of children in the Lawrence school district.

“We have had a wonderful initial response, and we’re confident even more families will participate before the end of the year,” said campaign chairwoman Cindy Self.

The foundation funds needs like college scholarships, preschool for disadvantaged children and special teaching projects.

The foundation gives about $140,000 each year, about half of its annual budget, to East Heights Early Childhood Family Center to help fund its preschool program for 4-year-olds who come from poor and disadvantaged families.

Without that money, Lawrence public schools’ East Heights would have to offer a half-day preschool program instead of a full-day program.

Eric Saler, a freshman at Johnson County Community College, says he might not have been able to go to college if not for a scholarship awarded through the Lawrence Schools Foundation. The foundation is trying to raise another 0,000 by Dec. 31.

The foundation awarded about $17,000 in scholarships in the spring to 24 seniors who were graduating from Lawrence public schools.

Saler, who graduated in May from Lawrence High School, lives with his mother and commutes to his community college.

He’s taking general education classes at the community college because it’s cheaper than Kansas University. He said he likely would transfer to KU eventually, where he might study accounting.

Saler received a $1,000 scholarship from the foundation.

“My whole family is thrilled; they are just so excited that someone is finally going to go to college,” the 20-year-old said. “From my grandfather to my mom, everyone just finished up high school.”

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The foundation also is wrapping up a campaign to raise money from Lawrence public schools employees. Even without salary increases this year, staff and administrators gave nearly $12,500, about 10 percent more than last year.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization. Donors may mail gifts to Susan Esau, executive director, Lawrence Schools Foundation, 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence 66044.

They also can give online at www.lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org.