For four years, the Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color have raised funds for city classrooms. This year is their biggest one yet.
Typically, they host a gala fundraiser event, but with the COVID-19 crisis, that’s been off the table. Surprisingly, that hasn’t been a problem.
“This year, we’ve raised all the money for the classrooms and we haven’t even thought about the gala,” co-founder Kimeka Campbell said.
Each year, teachers in the Harrisburg School District come to the YPOC with special projects they would like funded. Campbell explained these aren’t typical pencils and paper fundraisers, but the money goes toward items like non-traditional seating, technology or clubs.
In the past, teachers used donated money for things like a garden club and gaming club.
The goal this year was to raise money for 20 classrooms, $500 going to each class. However, in less than a week from their start date in early June, they had already raised $11,000, enough for 22 classrooms. Since then, Campbell updated the goal to 30 classrooms or $15,000. Close to 300 people have donated through both Facebook and GoFundMe.
“It’s exploding and it’s crazy,” she said.
Campbell credited the public generosity to the recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd and several other black men and women at the hands of police officers.
“People are asking what they can do to help,” she said. “We appreciate how the Harrisburg community is stepping up.”
As of Wednesday morning, Campbell said they are $900 shy of their goal.
To learn more about the Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, visit their website. For updates or to donate to the Adopt-a-Classroom fundraiser, visit their Facebook page.
