St. Francis High School in Wheaton is responding to meet tuition assistance needs for families by participating in #GivingTuesdayNow.
St. Francis High School in Wheaton is responding to meet tuition assistance needs for families by participating in #GivingTuesdayNow.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place May 5 - in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec. 1 - as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.
The school has established a COVID-19 Tuition Assistance Fund to assist those families who are experiencing economic hardship during this time. All of the funds raised on this day will ensure current students can complete their St. Francis education and allow the incoming Class of 2024 to continue on the St. Francis Path.
"St. Francis High School is known for being a learning community where people encourage one another and lift each other up," says Dr. Betsy Ackerson, president of St. Francis High School.
"Many in our community now face unanticipated economic hardship, and many in our community are seeking ways to reach out and help.
"GivingTuesdayNow presents an opportunity for the greater St. Francis community to rally and unite in support of our families and students in need. At a time when we all are grappling with uncertainty, one of the greatest gifts we can give as a school community is the certainty of a continued transformational high school experience."
The global movement will emphasize opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection, even while practicing physical distancing.
"As a global community, we can mourn this moment of extreme crisis while also finding the opportunity to support one another. We each have the power to make an impact with acts of generosity, no matter how small, and to ensure the sustainability of organizations and services that are crucial to the care and support of our communities," said Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday.
"#GivingTuesdayNow is a chance for us to stand united and use grass-roots generosity to show that we are all in this together, beginning to end. Even as many face financial uncertainty, generosity is not about size.
"From calling an elderly neighbor to chat to offering translation help, from showing gratitude to our health care workers to donating to your local food bank, every act of kindness is a beacon of hope in this crisis. We all have something to give, and every act of human consideration and kindness matters."
Those interested in joining St. Francis High School's #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit sfhscollegeprep.org/givingtuesdaynow. For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit www.givingtuesday.org.