Here's How To Help Venice High School's COVID-19 Relief Effort

VENICE, CA — The Venice High School community is responding to the coronavirus pandemic with a relief effort to help more than 30 local families—and the demand is growing.

"The counselors and teachers had started a Go-Fund-Me fundraiser to help the families with more than just distance learning," Gloria Halfacre, Venice PTSA Vice-President, told Patch.

"But LAUSD instructed them to take it down because it did not follow District guidelines regarding fundraising. That is when Venice High School teacher Tyler Fister reached out to the Venice PTSA," Halfacre said.

The group had to research and confirm they could take on the project, Halfacre told Patch.

"Fortunately National PTA made an exception for fundraising for COVID-19. So off we went," Halfacre said.

The goal started small, but the community's response tells the organization and volunteers that people in Venice need help.

"Our goal was to be able to help about 20 families with small amounts sent every few weeks," Halfacre told Patch. "However, the nomination/request form has already received 19 requests with only being out less than a day. It shows us how deep the need is in our community."

Right now, the most urgent need is financial help.

"So many of our families have been laid off and have sick family members, many barely have enough for groceries," Halfacre told Patch.

People can donate to the relief effort and provide support.

"No matter how little people can give it all adds up," Halfacre said.

So far, the support is growing.

"The Venice High School Community is amazing," Halfacre told Patch. "I have never seen such an involved Alumni Association as we have. They non-stop fundraise to give about $120,000 each year in scholarships for the students."

The PTSA plans to keep fundraising and focusing on how to support families next.

"The PTSA is also constantly fundraising to do whatever is needed, from Grad Nite, PROM, Scholarships, etc.," Halfacre told Patch. "In the Fall we partner with the local Girl Scouts for Adopt-a-Family program, which allows families that might not otherwise have a Christmas have one."

Learn more about Venice High's PTSA and donate to the Venice High School Relief effort.

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