School District U-46’s charitable arm is seeking donations for a new campaign to assist Elgin-area families during the coronavirus pandemic.
The U-46 United campaign’s first goal will be to raise funds to supply families with care kits of toiletries and household supplies.
“We have seen time and time again that U-46 families look out for each other and take care of each other, and nobody wants to see a family struggle during this crisis. If we can help each other, we will,” said U-46 Educational Foundation president Bud Wilson in the announcement.
The district’s educational foundation has typically raised money and sought support for projects not funded by tax dollars, such as the planetarium/observatory, student scholarships, and mini-grants for teachers.
Foundation coordinator Dawn Curran said the initial phase of the campaign will go toward fundraising for items students need at home and would expand into funding technology needs in the community. As other needs arise, the campaign may shift its fundraising focus, she said.
“When we actually contacted local food pantries on what people needed, we learned people needed things beyond food, like toiletries, personal products, household cleaners,” said Curran, who was hired this year as the foundation’s first full-time coordinator.
A $5,000 donation started the campaign, and another $2,000 had been donated as of Thursday, Curran said. The hope is they can raise at least $10,000 outside of the initial $5,000, she added.
The plan is to distribute 4,000 care kits at the 26 meal distribution sites at some point in April. These care kits would include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry and dish detergents, and other household products.
“Hopefully everything will be delivered to us next week,” said Curran.
Donations can be made at the U-46 Educational Foundation webpage at u-46.org/Foundation and clicking on the “U-46 United For COVID” tab.
raguerrero@tribpub.com
