LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Students and staff at two La Crosse schools are hosting a donation drive on Friday to collect items for the young Afghan evacuees at Fort McCoy.
The “Fill It Up Friday” donation drive is at the Northside Elementary and Coulee Montessori School at 1611 Kane St. from 7:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
People who want to donate can drop off items at the school office. Principal Nicki Pope plans to deliver all the donations to the fort this weekend.
The items most needed are clothing (bulk items accepted, summer/fall seasonal clothes only, no winter clothes at this time please), blankets, and toys. They ask that donations be age-appropriate for children ranging from newborns to 18-years-old. According to a release from the district, “donated items can be new or like new, however, new items will have the quickest turnaround and can be distributed immediately, but nothing donated will go to waste. Monetary donations will also be accepted.”
Principal Pope said in the statement, “It was through my deployments to Nicaragua, Marshall Islands, and Kuwait/Iraq that influenced my decision to get into education,” said Northside Elementary/Coulee Montessori Principal Nicki Pope. “I was on missions to build hospitals and schools during several of the deployments and the impact the children there had on me was immeasurable. I truly believe that it is crucial for all of our students to experience the positive impact they make by helping others when they can and giving back when they are able. This is a perfect way for us to teach them how to be compassionate to all those around them.”
The district statement said there are about 1,800 children at the fort.
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