After Hurricane Matthew and Florence WCPS received thousands of dollars in donations to support the hundreds of students to provide support to students and staff who had been displaced/impacted from historical flooding and storm damages. This included a sizable donation from students in one Western school district. As our Western NC school districts are now facing their own historic devastation and recovery with Helene, WCPS now has the opportunity to collectively give back and show our Western neighbors some needed support. Here are two ways we are going to do that:
WCPS "Coins for a Cause" coin/dollar drive
All schools are going to be given plastic gallon jugs from Mt. Olive Pickle to participate in a Grade Level fundraiser/Coin Drive. The goal is for each school to promote the fundraiser and to have a fun internal competition within each school between the grades about how many coins/dollars can be raised (Note: Schools are not competing amongst each other). We will kick off this "Coins for a Cause" coin/dollar drive on October 7, which will give you time to begin promotion. We are also going to work with the NC SECU to utilize coin counters throughout this campaign to quickly tally how much money schools are raising through coins. This coin/dollar drive will go through November 6. WCPS is working with the NC Superintendents Association to identify specific Western districts that we will partner with for these monetary donations. As occurred in 2016 and again in 2018 to support our schools, all proceeds will go to partnered districts in Western NC to purchase gift cards to support those students and families displaced/impacted from flooding and storm damage.
Physical Donations
WCPS would like for all schools to have a drop off site for families and school partners who would like to donate items listed below. This physical collection drive will officially begin Monday October 7 and run through October 25. Once completed, WCPS will pick up items from each school and have them trucked to impacted communities:
Toilet Paper
Bottled Water
Non-Perishable Food
Contractor-Size Trash Bags
First Aid Supplies
Feminine Hygiene
Diapers & Baby Clothes
Gatorade
Canned Goods
Personal Hygiene Products
Feminine Hygiene Products
Baby Wipes
Cleaning Supplies
Pet Food (dog/cat)
Hand Sanitizer
Paper Towels
Bleach (Bottles, Spray, Wipes)
Shovels
Brooms
Gloves
Flashlights
Batteries
On behalf of Wayne County Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard, and the Wayne County Board of Education, thank you for your support of these critical drives for impacted NC communities, students, and families!
Ken Derksen