Hello Homeroom students and parents.

It is that time again, a time when our homeroom really stands out throughout the whole high school. In case you don't remember from last year, here is the background.

Every year during the holiday season, the high school works with FamilyLinks to provide gifts to families in need due to various types of challenges. Such challenges include mental health issues, developmental disabilities, addictions, abuse, behavioral problems, illness, etc. Each homeroom is designated one recipient with a modest wish list, and we now have that information.

Our gift recipient's name is Kira, an 11-year-old girl. Her wish list includes the following:

Most homerooms do this the old-fashioned way of collecting cash (which I am still very happy to accept for this cause). I added this method and kept doing it because of the high success rate--so successful that we can typically raise funds for multiple families or fulfill secondary needs for the charity beyond our recipient.

Part of this is the volunteer shopper. This can be done the old-fashioned way at the mall, or it can be done online (shipped to your house or to the high school attn: Mike Lucas). Save your invoices or receipts, send them my way, and I will fully reimburse the shoppers (preferably using Venmo). Please let me know if you or your child would like to be our shopper!

I estimated the funding goal of $75 that would provide enough funds to purchase a quality version of each gift. Oftentimes in this process, we have exceeded the fundraising goal, which goes directly to additionally help other families in need. Every small donation helps, no matter how small. Every dollar donated by you will directly benefit a family in need, whether it is Kira or another child. The number you see raised is the number given to the charity because I will cover all GoFundMe fees as my own personal donation.

Also, any cash donations given to me will immediately appear as a donation from me so everyone can know in real time what our status is on this!

I will post updates as often as possible - when we have a volunteer shopper, about the gifts that have been purchased, how excess donations are put to use, etc. I am excited to do this as always. It is a short turnaround time this year. Gifts are due unwrapped in the high school library by Tuesday, December 16. The final day to make donations would be this day, as that is when I turn the money over to FamilyLinks to disburse the excess funds as needed.

Look for email contact and updates from me over the next couple of weeks, and thank you all in advance!

Mike Lucas