Grand Forks Public Schools to Participate in Giving Hearts Day

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Grand Forks Public Schools, through the Grand Forks Foundation for Education, will participate in Giving Hearts Day on February 11.

Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online fundraiser for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The event is hosted by the Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Foundation.

Grand Forks Public Schools is raising funds to create “The Giving Tree,” a pantry for school social workers to access at any time for critically needed items.

“We are acutely aware of the challenges faced by our students and families. Our intent is to engage and support each of our students and in doing so provide essential resources that both meet needs and communicate our care for them as residents in our community,” said Jennifer Modeen, school social worker and homeless liaison at Grand Forks Public Schools. “We believe that while we are designed for the academic success of all of our students, we know and embrace the evidenced-based facts that the social and emotional wellbeing of our students and families is essential to their success in our school and community. Grand Forks has shown a desire to respond and meet these needs, and we hope they will join us in this endeavor.”

Gifts $10 or greater will be matched thanks to the generous funding of the Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation.

“We are very excited to be teaming up with the Grand Forks Foundation for Education on Giving Hearts Day this year.  Our goal is to help provide resources and goods so the social workers can help meet the needs of the students who need it most. We hope that community members see the importance of this project as much as we do and make this Giving Hearts Day the best one yet,” said Monique and Jocelyne.

“Once again, the Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation has stepped up and supported our students in need and their families,” said Emilia Hodgson, executive director of the Grand Forks Foundation for Education. “We are grateful for their continued generosity and for always 'cheering for the one behind!’”

For more information, please contact Hodgson at 701.787.4867 or ehodgson290@mygfschools.org. The donation webpage can be found http://www.givingheartsday.org.

The longest-running giving day in the country, Giving Hearts Day has helped participating charities raise more than $90 million since its founding in 2008.