In an effort to supplement the existing resources currently available to Barrett families (such as meal distribution at the school and support from Arlington Food Assistance Center), we are going to lead an effort to provide gift cards (such as grocery store or Amazon gift cards for school supplies) to our Barrett families in need. We believe that this is the best way to provide support to Barrett families while ensuring the safety and health of our community.
Please note that since the PTA cannot purchase gift cards with PTA funds – only donated gift cards can be given to our families (we also cannot distribute cash to families) – this effort requires financial support separate from PTA donations and funds.
We hope that you will support this effort by making a financial contribution. Contributions can be made directly to Melanie Jones – via PayPal or Venmo – or through our Givebutter fundraising campaign we've created:
PayPal: melaniesmithjones@yahoo.com (please add a note "Gift cards for Barrett families", and send through "friends and family" to avoid fees)
Venmo: @Melanie-Jones-10
Givebutter: https://givebutter.com/barrettgiftcards (note that there is a fee to donate through this website, though in addition to Venmo and PayPal, donors can also use credit cards, debit cards, or Apple/Google Pay; recommend selecting "0%" for "Leave a tip for Givebutter" option)
(Please again note that we have to set it up as such because of the prohibition with utilizing PTA funds.)
After we receive donations, we hope to purchase and distribute the gift cards early next week from the Wendell family driveway (at N. Vermont St. and N. 7th St.) and from our garage (we are in the Ballston Row townhomes across from Barrett). Additional information on distribution of gift cards will be sent out early next week.
So far we are off to a good start through the impromptu effort from the Wendell family and other Barrett families. In addition, we have recently received 75 Safeway gift cards from the Go Fund Me effort led by Arlington teachers.
Thank you in advance for your contribution!
We hope that your family is safe during these difficult times.
Will Le & Barrett PTA
Spanish translation below:
Quería hacer un seguimiento de un correo electrónico que envié la semana pasada para ver cómo podemos ayudar a las familias de Barrett que lo necesitan durante esta pandemia de COVID-19. Varias familias ya han comenzado a ayudar a otras familias proporcionando tarjetas de regalo para comestibles, ayudando a comprar alimentos, proporcionando información sobre recursos financieros, etc.
En un esfuerzo por complementar los recursos existentes actualmente disponibles para las familias de Barrett (como la distribución de comidas en la escuela y el apoyo del Centro de Asistencia Alimentaria de Arlington), vamos a liderar un esfuerzo para proporcionar tarjetas de regalo (como tiendas para mercados o tarjetas de regalo de Amazon para útiles escolares) a nuestras familias necesitadas de Barrett. Tenga en cuenta que, dado a que la PTA no puede comprar tarjetas de regalo con fondos de la PTA, solo se pueden dar tarjetas de regalo donadas por nuestras familias (ni tampoco podemos distribuir efectivo a las familias), este esfuerzo requiere un apoyo financiero separado de las donaciones y fondos de la PTA.
Esperamos que apoye este esfuerzo haciendo una contribución financiera. Se pueden hacer contribuciones al Melanie Jones, a través de PayPal o Venmo o Givebutter:
PayPal: melaniesmithjones@yahoo.com
Venmo: @Melanie-Jones-10
Givebutter: https://givebutter.com/barrettgiftcards
Después de recibir donaciones, esperamos comprar y distribuir las tarjetas de regalo a principios de la próxima semana desde la entrada principal de la casa de la familia Wendell (en N. Vermont St. y N. 7th St.) y desde nuestro garaje (estamos en las townhouses de Ballston Row frente a Barrett). Se enviará información adicional sobre la distribución de tarjetas de regalo a principios de la próxima semana.
Hasta ahora hemos tenido un buen comienzo gracias al esfuerzo improvisado de la familia Wendell y a otras familias de Barrett. Además, recientemente hemos recibido 75 tarjetas de regalo de Safeway por el esfuerzo de Go Fund Me dirigido por los maestros de Arlington.
¡Gracias de antemano por su contribución!
Esperamos que su familia esté segura durante estos tiempos difíciles.
From: Will Le <president@kwbarrettpta.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:39 AM
To: everyone@kwbarrettpta.org; members@kwbarrettpta.org
Subject: [KWPTA] Helping Out During COVID-19 Pandemic
[This Email Originated From president@kwbarrettpta.org Which Is External To The Firm]
Many have discussed ways we as members of the Barrett community can help out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the many challenges that this pandemic poses, many of us have struggled to identify meaningful ways to help families and other members of our community who may be experiencing financial difficulties or even mental and/or physical health issues.
We are grateful that APS recently decided to add Barrett as a meal distribution site - which will help many Barrett families who were unable to travel to Kenmore or Drew.
While the PTA is not permitted to raise money - or use PTA funds - for other organizations or individuals, we can publicize efforts that are being undertaken to help our community through this health crisis.
Here are two helpful ideas that I think would greatly help our community:
1) A staff member at Culpepper Garden Apartments, Ms. Gabby Chavez, recently posted on Facebook that residents at the senior assisted living community are "feeling more lonely and isolated more than ever right now". She suggested that kids at home can draw pictures and cards for the residents at Culpepper Garden, which is located right near Barrett. Letters and cards can be sent to:
Culpepper Garden
4435 North Pershing Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
c/o Gabby or Zachary
Many students have been sending and dropping off letters to their friends since "distance learning" was put in place. If many Barrett students can also send cards and letters to Culpepper, I know it'll go a long way in helping many of their residents.
2) The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) obtains and distributes groceries, directly and free of charge, to people living in Arlington, VA, who cannot afford to purchase enough food to meet their basic needs. On their website, CEO Charles Meng indicates that they "have already seen a sharp decrease in food donations from our local grocery stores". Please think about making a donation to AFAC to help keep their warehouse full for Arlington families in need. You can visit their website to view their message regarding COVID-19 and help their organization at: afac.org/covid19
If you have any other suggestions or ideas, please let us know so we can help promote your effort.
Finally, I wanted to thank Mr. Arturo Ramirez and Ms. Diana Bustamante for keeping in touch with many Barrett families during this crisis - and thinking of ways to help them, even if just by providing necessary information. Also, thank you to whoever decorated the fence in the back of Barrett with the message "We Miss You We Love You" - I think it touched everyone who has seen this message at our school.
Will Le
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