AARP Chapter #1775 School Outreach Project
Donations Accepted February 2 Through February 13, 2026
When the Chapter started thinking about what we would do for our charitable donation outside of Hawthorne this year, we decided assisting the local schools in helping homeless children was a project we wanted to be a part of. The results of our research into area schools were eye opening. Out of all the local schools interviewed the Chapter 1775 Board voted to “adopt” Leesburg Elementary and Carver Middle School.
We learned that Leesburg Elementary has 72 plus or minus homeless children in attendance. Many of the children live in their family’s car if there are no shelters available. Leesburg Elementary keeps a clothing and food pantry in the school to try to meet these kids’ needs using designated funds sparingly to buy needed supplies at good prices. The kids’ dirty clothes are washed so at the very least they can attend school with clean clothes. Breakfast and lunch are served daily. If there are funds available, the families are given food to cover weekend meals.
Without this program to help these children they would attend classes hungry and with no way to clean themselves or their clothing. We’re talking about very basic things that many of us take for granted – imagine not having a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap, a hairbrush or comb. Going home after school for many of these kids means going back to wherever their family’s car is parked or the tent that is pitched somewhere in the vicinity.
Carver Middle School is also very involved in helping the homeless population attending their school. When asked about a donation, they gave us a list of things they most often need. The AARP Chapter #1775 Board voted to give a monetary gift to both schools. It was felt the folks that work with the kids would know best what to buy and could purchase these items from the funds donated.
AARP Chapter #1775 is donating $1,000 to this effort. We hope Hawthorne clubs and residents will join our Chapter in raising our goal of $6,000 which will be split evenly between Leesburg Elementary and Carver Middle School. Donations will be accepted from February 2nd through February 13th in a box located in front of the Program Office. Checks should be made payable to AARP Chapter #1775. No gift is too small, and all are very much appreciated.
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If you would like to see the Chapter’s previous Highlights articles, click here.
