McLean Matters - One Family’s Story

Dear Highlander families,

It is our last call for this calendar year to support 280 MHS families in need, which is 12% of the student body. We still need 219 gift cards for $25 and $50. All gift cards go directly to the families for their grocery needs. This year has been a struggle for all of us, yet the ongoing pandemic has adversely impacted families who are already at, or below, the poverty line.

 Please Read One Family’s Story 

One of McLean’s Seniors is an 18-year-old who arrived in the United States at the end of 8th grade from another country, along with his two siblings, to join his mother. Their mother immigrated to the United States for her children's safety, and to have the opportunity for better lives. The student and his older brother each work 35 to 40 hours a week to supplement their mother's income. He works late into the evenings assisting a chef at a local restaurant. His older brother dropped out of school during his senior year, when the family faced financial hardship.

The student is due to graduate this year. Should he graduate, he will be the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. However, stress associated with working a 35 to 40 hour week impacts his attendance and grades. We have been encouraging him to reduce his work hours to focus on his grades and attendance, but he feels the pressure to contribute to his family’s income and provide stability. Referrals to community-based agencies, such as the local foodbank, have lowered their monthly expenses. The social worker and counselor consistently support the student, and offer positive affirmations to reinforce his ultimate goal: to graduate in June 2023!

Your donation makes an immediate impact on MHS families in need, so please consider donating gift cards for $25 or $50. You can donate one, two, or multiple gift cards, here’s how:

STEP 1: Click HERE to sign-up to donate $25 or $50 gift cards, then

STEP 2: There are three ways you can purchase gift cards:

1.     Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50

2.     Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “plastic gift card(s)” to mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill.

3.     Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “electronic gift card(s)”, print out the paper copy, and mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please indicate the $ amount on the gift card(s) when you mail/drop-off your cards.

Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:

c/o Jennifer Hill

McLean High School

1633 Davidson Road

McLean VA 22101

 

The deadline for Gift Cards is extended to Wednesday, December 7^th, so that the cards can be distributed before the winter break.

We are grateful for your generosity and charitable donation.

With much gratitude,

The McLean Matters Committee

eblankenbaker@verizon.net