Crestwood High School Alumni Association, Inc.
Donation to the American Red Cross
The Alumni Association made a $1540.00 donation to the American Red Cross in support of their Coastal Virginia Blood Donor Awareness & Education Series. This Coastal chapter will be hosting quarterly series of 1-hour virtual community education programs to increase awareness of blood diversity challenges and healthy disparities in our African American communities. Our donation is specifically directed at targeted to assist with patients who suffer with sickle cell disease, and it will support in-depth testing, typing and matching to provide blood for transfusions in people living with sickle cell. Frequent transfusions help prevent or reduce complications caused by this disease.
Black Americans overwhelmingly are affected with this disease more than any other race in the world. Statistics show that 1 in 365 newborn Black Americans will have the sickle disease, while 1 in 13 newborn Black Americans will carry the sickle cell trait. Even though the mortality rates have decreased over the years due to vaccines, there is no known cure, and many of our children, as well as adults continue to face difficulties throughout their lives.
The Crestwood High Alumni Association, Inc. is excited and proud to support such a worthy cause in a year that has been very stressful to all. We hope that you will find a way to join this continuous effort to make a difference to the lives of some of those who suffer from this painful disease.
You may contact Michelle Ellis Young, Executive Director of Coastal Virginia Red Cross at (757) 323-4791 to inquire how you can join in this effect, and to obtain dates for the virtual education series.
“Keep The Faith”
Crestwood High School Alumni Association, Inc.
Donation to the Burfoot House
The Alumni Association made a $1000.00 donation to Burfoot House whose mission is to transform lives by providing a transitional home and comprehensive program designed for single women 18 and older to achieve self-sufficiency. The structured classes and mentorship targets specific employment, savings, and housing goals. Once employed, savings are monitored for independent housing once exiting the program. This program is very well operated to fill an important need within the community, and strict guidelines are in place to ensure safety and participation in the program.
Our donation will assist with some of the program needs that include an urgent need for transportation cards for the clients to get to and from work, and for household needs that include paper towels, trash bags, PPE cleaning products, and toilet paper.
Help us help these women become independent, self-sufficient, and confident enough reach their goals. You may contact Lisa Dixon, Executive Director at (757) 904-9758 to inquire how you can assist with this program.
Crestwood High School Alumni Association, Inc.
Rena B. Wright Primary School
The Association, at the request of the principle at Rena B. Wright Primary School, donated 10 cases (700 bottles) of drinking water for the kids at the school, as they will began having outside activities during the last week in April, through May and part of June. We also provided monetary gifts cards for all of the teachers and support staff for Teachers Appreciation Month. Additionally, we were able, through the support of one of members, able provide some clothing items for the kids.
This pandemic has placed extreme hardships on our schools and kids, psychologically, psycho-socially, as well educationally. Each primary school in our community could use and appreciate your help. Teachers and staff have historically had to use their own funds in providing certain needs for their kids. Join us in making a difference. Contact the school of your choice to inquire how you can assist.
Coats, Scarves, Hats/Caps and Gloves
To close out the year, the Association answered the call to assist students at Crestwood Intermediate School. In discussions with counselors at the school, we found that there were students who came to school in need of proper clothing that would assist in fighting the elements of the weather, starting with the fall months and into the winters. After getting the most needed sizes, we went to work.
We were able to purchase 18 coats; 18 scarves; 27 hats/caps; and, 24 pairs of gloves. We also provided 4 storage bins for the items to be stored until needed by the student. This is a project that we will revisit in fall of 2022.
