News Summary
A family in Williamsburg has started a fundraising initiative to combat bullying by collecting clothing donations for underprivileged students. Spark Community Empowerment aims to raise funds for a laundry token program in partnership with WJCC Schools. The initiative was inspired by a child affected by bullying due to lack of clean clothes. The family will organize a bingo night fundraiser on May 16, with the goal of ensuring all children have access to essential clothing before school begins.
Williamsburg Family Launches Fundraiser to Combat Bullying with Clothing Donations
A local family in Williamsburg has initiated a fundraiser aimed at supporting bullying prevention by collecting clothing donations for underprivileged students. The effort was sparked by a heartwarming realization from 9-year-old Quinn Eppright, who was upset to witness a classmate being bullied for attending school in dirty clothes. This particular classmate was living in a hotel and had no access to laundry facilities, which highlighted a larger issue within the community.
The Eppright family founded Spark Community Empowerment as a response to this incident, with the mission to raise funds for a laundry token program in collaboration with WJCC Schools. This program intends to provide students in need with access to laundry facilities, which is essential for fostering confidence and reducing instances of bullying among peers.
In addition to the laundry token initiative, Spark Community Empowerment is organizing a clothing drive to collect new socks, undergarments, and gently used clothing. The goal of the clothing drive is to distribute these items to students ahead of the upcoming school year, ensuring that all children have access to essential clothing.
The first fundraising event for this initiative will be a bingo night scheduled for May 16 at the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex. Families are encouraged to attend, with ticket prices set at $50 per person. The bingo night will include light food served from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by bingo games starting shortly thereafter. Participants will have the chance to win various prizes, including tickets to Busch Gardens, summer camp tuition at the WISC, AirPods, and a round of golf at the Williamsburg National Golf Club.
Preregistration for the bingo event is recommended due to limited seating availability at the door. Additionally, a designated play area for children will be available during the event, allowing parents to enjoy the festivities while their kids are entertained.
As part of their ongoing efforts, clothing donations are being accepted until May 16. Members of the community are encouraged to contribute new and gently used outerwear along with clothing. However, donations of underwear and socks must be new and remain in their original packaging. Several drop-off locations have been established, which include the WISC, Williamsburg Orthodontics, and The Kensington School.
The importance of confidence in a school setting is emphasized by the Eppright family, who believe that having access to clean clothing plays a significant role in a child’s overall learning experience and interpersonal interactions. Efforts like Spark Community Empowerment aim to provide support and resources for students, ultimately promoting a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
For individuals interested in supporting this cause, either by donating clothing items or purchasing tickets for the bingo event, further information can be found through the Spark Community Empowerment Facebook page. The community’s involvement will be pivotal in helping to foster a safe and respectful atmosphere for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Local News Source
- Wikipedia: Bullying
- WJCC Schools
- Google Search: Bullying Prevention
- Spark Community Empowerment
- Google Scholar: Bullying Awareness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Empowerment
- News Source on Clothing Donations
