This afternoon, Wednesday, November 6, the first round of the SMS Compassion fund grants were distributed directly to families of the immediate victims.
SMS Compassion Fund grants were made possible by 68 business and individual donations, including families from Sparks Middle School.
The Community Foundation accepted gifts ranging from one dollar from children to more than $1,000 collected through a fundraiser. The Community Foundation has acknowledged each of these gifts and is excited to share that it has accepted proceeds from several fundraisers to-date:
- Juicy’s Giant Hamburgers on Wells Avenue donated the proceeds from a day’s sales
- Galena High School
- Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in Gardnerville
- A mother of a Sparks Middle School student organized a car wash and donated the money collected
The first round of grants were distributed quickly to help alleviate victims’ pressing financial needs. The fund hopes the community continues support to address the families ongoing and long term needs. Additional grants will be distributed in an equally timely manner.
The SMS Compassion fund grant selection committee concentrated its grants on the immediate victims and Sparks Middle School. The school district is working with several other agencies and organizations that will be providing additional resources in the coming weeks and months to help those impacted by the tragedy.
Established by the City of Sparks in cooperation with Washoe County School District, the SMS Compassion fund was created through the Community Foundation of Western Nevada to collect, acknowledge and distribute the community’s generous response in an efficient and transparent way.
The SMS Compassion Fund is accepting tax-deductible monetary donations. The SMS Compassion Fund provides support for and to the immediate victims’ families and Sparks Middle School in the wake of the tragedy.
To contribute to the SMS Compassion fund:
- Donate online at nevadafund.org
- Call the Community Foundation of Western Nevada at 775-333-5499
- Mail a check to the SMS Compassion Fund at CFWN to:
1885 South Arlington Avenue, Suite 103
Reno, NV 89509
Please reference SMS Compassion Fund.
