Supporting Students With Campaign And S.O.S. Program

On Wednesday, March 17, Burke County United Way (BCUW) presented Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) with a $25,000 check from the ongoing Keep Learning Moving Forward campaign, BCUW’s current fundraising focus. Rod Harrelson, Board President and Maureen “Mo” Schwind, Executive Director of BCUW, met with Buddy Armour, Chair of the BCPS Board and Dr. Mike Swan, Assistant Superintendent (and BCUW board member) to present the check.

Keep Learning Moving Forward

After the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, Burke County United Way and Burke County Public Schools began working together to identify and quickly respond to the needs of students in Burke County. Funds from the Keep Learning Moving Forward campaign go toward such needs as replacing student laptops that no longer perform at optimum capacity, daycare costs, transportation for homeless students, telehealth copays, clothing and even hygiene products. A major need for our students is new technology.

Burke County Public Schools has identified the need to replace many old personal student laptops. Whether students are learning from home or in the classroom, the fact remains the same: Technology is now an important part of learning and personal computers are a major tool in education.

How You Can Help

As of March 2021, Burke County United Way has also launched Project S.O.S. (Share Our Stimulus), a fund for stimulus check donations to be redirected toward the Keep Learning Moving Forward Campaign. With Project S.O.S., BCUW is urging community members to consider redirecting all or any amount of their stimulus check toward education in our community if they are able.

Donations to Project S.O.S. will specifically be directed toward purchasing new Google Chromebooks for Burke County Public Schools students.

Learn more about Project S.O.S. (Share Our Stimulus) and how to give here.