The holiday elves at West Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia’s office are ringing in the holiday season this week with the “Annual Verde School Fundraiser and Virtual Holiday Party.”
A Go Fund Me fundraising page has been launched and will support the purchase of new books for every student courtesy of West County READS, fund a school mural designed by youth and make an empty lot by the school come alive with holiday decorations as part of a partnership with RichmondLAND, per Sup. Gioia’s office. As of this writing, $570 of a goal of $3,000 has been raised toward the effort.
Those preferring to send a check can make it payable to the nonprofit “CHDC of North Richmond,” c/o 2021 Verde School Dr. and mail it to Sup. Gioia’s office at 11780 San Pablo Ave., Suite D, El Cerrito, 94530.
The supervisor, who has sponsored the benefit drive for Verde Elementary School in North Richmond for 23 years, also invited community members on Facebook to join him at the Virtual Holiday Party, which is set for Thurs., Dec. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Zoom. Click here to join the celebration online (meeting ID: 834 3780 7526).
The theme of the bilingual Virtual Holiday Party will be “What are you hopeful for in the New Year?” and will welcome thoughts “on what we’ve endured during the historic pandemic and what inspires us about the future,” per the supervisor’s office. Verde Elementary Principal Eric Acosta-Verprauskus will also share “the amazing work of his students and staff this year,” while Family Support Specialist Martha Nieto-Serrano will provide a Spanish language update.
Sup. Gioia called the event on of his office’s “favorite holiday traditions.”
Questions? Contact Tania Pulido in the supervisor’s office at 510.942.2225 or email [email protected].
