Carson City schools gift card drive wraps up with nearly $14K in donations
Carson City School District’s McKinney-Vento Students in Transition program concluded its gift card donation drive earlier this month and is pleased to announce it raised nearly $14,000 in gift cards and monetary check donations from the community.
Initiated in July and spanning the summer through August 16, the gift card donation drive was designed to raise money and obtain gift cards valued between $20-$100 to help assist pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students in transition. Students in transition are those individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence including children and youth sharing housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons.
“We are overwhelmed with joy from the generosity of our community,” said Hannah Etchison, special projects coordinator, McKinney-Vento and Foster Care liaison for the Carson City School District. “Every student deserves to have new back-to-school items, and these donations will ensure students in Carson City have the necessary clothing and supplies for the upcoming school year.”
In total, the program received $2,070 in gift card donations and $11,500 in monetary check donations from caring and compassionate community members and businesses. The gift cards and money will enable the school district to purchase clothing, hygiene items, shoes and other essentials.
These monetary donations are preferred to physical items as student needs and sizes are constantly changing. The gift cards will primarily be used by the McKinney-Vento office to purchase needed items; however, occasionally, some gift cards will be given directly to the students and families in need.
Students in transition often live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations. Other primary nighttime residences may be designated public spaces not designed for regular sleeping such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings. Students in transition may also include migratory children or unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian.
The school’s McKinney-Vento program helps these students receive an appropriate public education as well as the following services provided:
— Enrollment in school immediately, even if students and families are lacking documents or if the student’s situation changes
— Transportation to and from school, if needed
— Free school meals
— Referrals to outside resources
— Support with school supplies, school fees or sports fees
— Academic tracking and interventions
— Assistance in obtaining required documents such as birth certificates
— Removal of other barriers that may impact educational progress
— Scholarships and help with graduation needs
— Summer programs
Still want to contribute? Donated gift cards or monetary check donations may be dropped off at Carson City School District McKinney-Vento, 618 W. Musser Street, Carson City, Nevada 89703. Donation receipts are available upon request. For more information, please contact Hannah Etchison, 775-283-1537, hetchison@carson.k12.nv.us.