by Cesse Ip

While COVID-19 has definitely thwarted schools’ ability to fundraise, local Petworth schools are still holding holiday fundraisers to benefit their students. Many local families have been hit hard by COVID-19 and are still in need of assistance. Donating to your neighborhood school if you are able is a great way to give back to your hyperlocal community. The schools thank you in advance!

Barnard Elementary School
Barnard’s Thanksgiving Drive wrapped up this week, and they raised nearly $3,000 to distribute canned goods and gift cards to families. They thank the community immensely, and would like you to check their website and Twitter (@barnardbearsPTA) to see details about their holiday toy drive that they will be setting up next week.

Bruce Monroe Elementary School
Bruce Monroe is purchasing toys and gifts to create 300 gift bags for families in need and has set up an Amazon Wish list for toys ranging from $4-$40. If you are interested in purchasing a toy, please do so by December 4, 2020. Any leftover toys will be donated to mutual aid or local toy drives.

Dorothy Height Elementary
DHES PTO is sponsoring a grocery store gift card fundraiser for our neediest families. Our school has approximately 500 students, and 40 percent are defined as "at risk", meaning at some point in the school year they are enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or are identified as homeless, or under the care of Child and Family Services Agency. If you are able to donate or even share our link on social media, we would greatly appreciate it!

Powell Elementary School
The Holidays are different this year, but Powell Padres is committed to the Powell Holiday Bag tradition and providing each Powell student with a little something filled with love and joy from Powell. During the last school year Powell Padres contributed the bulk of their cash reserves to families experiencing financial hardship and as a result we are seeking donations to help us create meaningful holiday gifts for all 517 students. We are looking for $5/child, or $2,585, in donations to support our holiday tradition. Tax Deductible Donations can be made via:

Venmo: @Powell-Padres
Cashapp: $powellpadres or http://cashapp.me/powellpadres
PayPal: https://paypal.me/powellpadres or Send via email to powellpadres@gmail.com

Truesdell Elementary School
Truesdell has an Amazon Wish List created in collaboration with our mental health team at school to provide for their most in-need families. They also have a GoFundMe fundraiser for Giving Tuesday to support various activities or needs at our school including but not limited to supplies for scholars and teachers, or event support.

West Elementary School
West is hosting a tree and wreath sale and items can be purchased on their website. Pick-up will occur outdoors and adhere to CDC and DC guidelines for social distancing, mask wearing, and cleaning protocols. You will be asked to select a time for pick-up when you order.

McFarland Middle School
McFarland has an ongoing GoFundMe that support students and their families that have been financially and medically devasted by the pandemic with food and other basic resources. As the colder weather approach, they anticipate a surge in what is already a critical level of need. Additionally, MacFarland will be collecting coats for a coat drive on 11/23/20 from 10-12 pm at MacFarland. Sizes needed are youth 10-18, and adult S and M.

If you would like to contribute a new (or washed, like-new) coat, you are welcome to drop off during this window, or anytime beforehand to school social worker (and Petworth resident) Rachael Friedlander.

Want to add your school? Contact the author.