Children Benefit From Christmas Card Campaign

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Something as simple as a new pair of shoes can significantly boost a student's odds of success in school. Other students might need medication, school supplies, a warm coat or a pair of glasses.

That's where NWA Media's Community Christmas Card campaign strives to make a difference.

All money donated to the Christmas Card is distributed to local school districts. Social workers and others in those districts use the money as they see fit to help students with specific needs.

"It's a way for us to help our readers provide a direct benefit to children in our area who need a little help, not just at the holidays but all year round," said Rusty Turner, editor and publisher of NWA Media, the parent company of The Benton County Daily Record, Rogers Morning News, Springdale Morning News and Northwest Arkansas Times.

Julie Bachmayer, social worker for the Bentonville School District, has put the Christmas Card money to use for numerous students in various ways.

There was, for example, the high school student whose only pair of shoes had worn out. His only other option for footwear was a pair of flip-flops that were too small for his size 13 feet.

"We went and got him new shoes," Bachmayer said. "And on to school he went."

In another case, a woman and her elementary school child had to leave their apartment because their rent had increased so much. The woman, who cannot work because of severe medical issues, found a more affordable place, but needed help with the rental deposit.

"We were fortunate to have the funds to pay her deposit," Bachmayer said.

The woman sent the district a thank-you card that read in part: "No words can say what a blessing this was for my son and I. He is very excited knowing we have a place to move to."

Christmas Card money for the Fayetteville School District flows through its Safety Net Fund.

"They call it Safety Net because it can be used for anything that we can do to keep kids from falling through the cracks," said Ananda Rosa, Fayetteville's social work coordinator.

That means paying for everything from clothes to medication. Money also has been used to help families travel to Little Rock for visits to Arkansas Children's Hospital, Rosa said.

Fayetteville also puts some money toward fees for fun things children participate in, such as field trips, band and cheerleading.

"If kids can't pay those fees, that's going to exclude them from participating in a lot of things," Rosa said.

More than 60 percent of students in both the Rogers and Springdale school districts are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, an indicator of the poverty those districts face.

Christmas Card money gives Rogers some flexibility in helping families that may be homeless or in transition, said Patsy Roycroft, the district's lead social worker.

"When people are going through hard times, you want to minimize the disruption as best as you can, especially for the children," Roycroft said. "So we use that money for items that are going to help keep the kids in school and hopefully provide some stability."

A couple of years ago, a Rogers family lost its home to a fire. Roycroft used $300 to buy clothes for the children.

"In the event of an emergency like a house burning down, it's good to have access to that Christmas Card money," she said.

Kathy Launder, school nurse coordinator for Springdale, said Christmas Card money goes toward doctor's appointments, medication, eye exams, glasses, dental work, clothing and school supplies.

"It just helps our kids," Launder said. "The future lies here with our kids."

Last year's Christmas Card campaign raised about $18,000, Turner said.

Donors may request their money go to a specific school district. The money is collected by NWA Media and turned over to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, making all donations tax deductible.

NWA Media covers the administrative costs of handling the donations, so 100 percent of donations go to the school districts. The money is typically distributed to school districts in the spring.

Checks should be made out to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas/Community Christmas Card. They may be mailed to Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, c/o Community Christmas Card, P.O. Box 1607, Fayetteville, AR 72707. Donations also may be dropped off at any NWA Media office or made online at nwaonline.com/christmascard.

The names of individuals donating $2 or more will be printed in a full-page Christmas card published Dec. 25 in the daily papers and the week of Dec. 22 in the weekly papers. Donations received after Dec. 17 will appear in the daily papers only.