Group tackles soap dispensers as first project at Ramona schools

Greg Chick, one of the founding members of Friends of Ramona Unified Schools (FORUS) and owner of Ramona’s

Plumber, was in the boys locker room at Ramona High School recently installing Vandalproof soap dispensers — at no cost to the school district.

The need for soap dispensers and soap in some student bathrooms in the Ramona Unified School District came to the attention of FORUS when teachers said they keep hand sanitizer in their classrooms because there sometimes is no soap in the student bathrooms. Reasons vary from students knocking soap dispensers off the wall or wasting all the soap in one use to a school just not having soap in a student restroom.

FORUS, a California public benefit corporation applying for nonprofit status, consists of a group of Ramonans who have been meeting almost weekly in the Ramona Sentinel since March 11. Established after the school bond bid failed in November, the group’s goal is to fill gaps in student needs at Ramona Unified.

They’ve discussed everything from reroofing schools and replacing heating and air conditioning units to energy

conservation projects and defibrillators at each school. But until FORUS achieves 501(c)(3) status, it’s starting with what Fundraising Chair Dr. Jane Tanaka calls the Soap Project.

As a doctor, Tanaka understands the connection between soapless student bathrooms and school attendance, a factor that contributes to school funding.

Members of FORUS’ steering committee donated money for eight Vandalproof soap dispensers and two cases of soap for each.

Chick used six steel toggle bolts to mount each “kid-proof” dispenser.

“I think it’s a good way to prevent the kids from trying to damage them, because the plastic (dispensers now at the school) don’t work at all,” Tom Fitzpatrick, lead custodian at Ramona High said as Chick finished installing one Vandalproof dispenser.

Before he left the boys locker room, he demonstrated how the “timed-out” dispenser works — one push, one squirt of soap, just enough to wash your hands.

FORUS introduced itself to the public at the Rotary July 4 Family Picnic and Fireworks, where members sold bottles of soap bubbles to raise money for more dispensers.

“FORUS would like to thank the many folks who bought soap bubbles at the fireworks,” said Tanaka. “They helped us raise an additional $400.”

Anyone wishing to donate may mail a check made out to Friends of Ramona Unified Schools, noting it is for the Soap Project, to Dr. Jane Tanaka, FORUS Fundraising Chair, 15725 Snuz Mountain Road, Ramona, CA 92065.