Montview Neighborhood COVID Response Project

From Josh Konz at Ashley. "To start, and from the bottom of my heart, I want to say THANK YOU to you and everyone else who connected to this donation project in choosing to support Ashley Elementary. I cannot even begin to express the deep-felt gratitude that myself and the rest of our support team here at Ashley have for what y'all have accomplished...and to have the opportunity to give to our community now because of what you put together...I don't even have the words. Your generosity will be felt far beyond the expectations of what your mission was set to accomplish, and what you have accomplished is truly something worth celebrating."

The Burns Montview neighborhood is located a block northeast of Ashley Elementary School. During these extraordinarily challenging times, we recognize that increased burdens have been placed on some families due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The impact is growing based on the failure of the latest relief package for families in need. Easing the burden of the families of 5th graders by providing a $100.00 gift card for them to use to purchase additional items or needs they'll likely incur when school resumes at some point in the fall of this year 89% of students attending Ashley are students of color. and 87% are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. We'd like to lighten their load a litlle and send a message of support from individuals who understand their plight.

Over the summer volunteers are coordinated with school personnel to get cards and donated school supplies in the hands of target families. Josh Konz relayed: "Thank you again...SO MUCH for supporting our families and school community. I cannot fully explain how much it means, but believe me when I say it, it means a LOT."

One of the families in the neighborhood donated 40 plus gift bags of school supplies over the summer. The supplies were delivered prior to the start of the school year.

Acts of kindness are needed now more than ever before. Taking this small step to do something for students and families who are likely significantly challenged economically due to COVID-19, could be contagious.