Though no one likes being phoned at home to complete a survey, or to be urged to buy this fabulous product or that, Issaquah and Sammamish residents should expect a call next week that is certainly worth listening to.

On the other end of the line will be young students and community volunteers, and they will be calling to ask you to help maintain vital science, art, computer science and engineering programs in local schools, and to provide much-needed support for teachers in this time of dramatic state budget cuts.

With the state government failing in its basic duty to fund public education, every year nonprofit organizations like the Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF) are forced to turn to the parents and families of local students. And each year they respond. In 2009, the ISF’s Calling for Kids campaign raised $235,000.

This year the need is even greater. ISF is hoping to raise $300,000 to support ongoing ISF programs, including teacher innovation grants, after-school homework labs, a volunteer mentorship program, as well as a financial literacy curriculum and AP computer science and Web design classes.

ISF’s mission is to bridge the gap between the funds the state provides for basic education and the funds schools actually need to prepare students for academic and life success in the 21st century.

“Especially in the current economic climate that led the state to cut our funding by $10.4 million over the past two years, we are relying more and more on ISF to help us provide the high-quality classroom experiences our students need and deserve,” Issaquah School District Superintendent Dr. Steve Rasmussen wrote in an e-mail to parents this week. “ISF supports all children across the district, from those excelling to those struggling.”

As such, this year’s calling campaign is themed “Everybody In.”

Calling for Kids donations will also provide seed money for “Project Inquiry: Science and Technology for the 21st Century” — a cutting-edge initiative for all elementary students designed to excite and engage them in science.

High school students will be calling families in the Issaquah School District on the evening of Oct. 25 or 28. To have your name removed from the calling list simply make a donation online at www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/donate

“I know pennies are tighter than ever, and I certainly understand how important it is for your family to make careful decisions about giving,” Dr. Rasmussen wrote to parents. “My hope in this message is only to make you aware of the opportunity to participate in Calling for Kids and to give you confidence that ISF’s efforts do make a difference in the education of our children.”

For more information about Calling for Kids visit www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org.