Staying warm during a cold winter is something many of us take for granted.
"A lot of people can't go to the store and buy a coat, it's just not as simple as that."
Harvest Elementary principal Robert Perez, says that's a harsh reality for many families in the Central Unified School District.
"We do get a lot of students who come onto our schools without the jackets and the coats and sweaters. It affects their entire day, in the classroom out at recess, so being able to start your day off warm and coming onto to school I think it's very important."
Since 2006 the foundation for central schools has worked to close this gap, giving nearly 4,000 kids in 21 schools brand new coats.
"It's something very sweet when you see a little kindergartner getting a pink coat for the first time or a sixth grader getting a stylish coat, so those kinds of things are very meaningful."
It doesn't stop there. Along with various grants, and educational resources, the foundation has handed out Christmas dinner food baskets to 1,200 families in the community. Board president, Sarah Mirhadi-Offen says none of this help would be possible, without the help of an outside source.
"It is very vital and important that we get the funding from the Granville Home of Hope."
The Granville Home of Hope provides on average, $20,000 a year to the foundation.
"Because of that funding we were able to help 205 classrooms and you say that's not a big deal, but you got to remember, each classroom has about thirty."
And for cash strapped schools, without this helping hand, some very necessary needs might not be met.
"It's another cold student, it's another hungry family."
To buy a ticket for the Granville Home of Hope drawing call 440-8388, or you can buy them at Gb3 locations, Central Distributing, or the Granville Home offices. The giveaway takes place on September 29th.
TXT 24
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