Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia’s annual fundraiser for Verde Elementary will continue this year, except his related holiday party will occur on Zoom rather than in person.
Every year for more than two decades, Gioia’s fundraiser has equipped Verde students with books, hoodies and other gifts. Last year, donations provided books and also funded the painting of a youth-designed mural in the school’s cafeteria.
This year, donations will buy new books for each student via West County READS, according to Robert Rogers, district coordinator for Board of Supervisors District 1, which Gioia represents.
Rogers has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to provide an easy way for community members to donate. The fundraiser has the goal of reaching $3,000 in donations.
“Verde Elementary School in North Richmond is a jewel in a community that has many challenges,” Rogers states in the fundraiser. “The children here live in the community with the lowest per capita income in the Bay Area and high rates of crime and COVID-19. North Richmond’s future is bright because of these children and this school.”
Donations as small as $5 can make a difference, and all donors will be recognized by Gioia via official letter and in his community newsletter, Rogers said.
Those preferring to donate by check rather than by GoFundMe can make checks payable to the nonprofit “CHDC of North Richmond” c/o 2020 Verde School Drive. The checks can be mailed to 11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D, El Cerrito, CA 94530.
Anyone with questions can contact Rogers in Supervisor Gioia’s office at (510) 231-8688.
Supervisor Gioia’s Holiday Zoom party is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. To attend, click here .
“Verde Principal Eric Acosta-Verprauskus will also report during the Zoom party about what his amazing teachers, staff, parents, volunteers and children did in 2020 and their goals for 2021,” Rogers states in the fundraiser.
