Wake County PTAs Go Above and Beyond for Students and Families

By Kassandra Watson | President, Wake County PTA Council

The Wake County PTA Council is a small, but dedicated, group of local PTA officers and members that provides support and resources for all 190 PTA units in Wake County. Wake County PTA is part of both NCPTA and the National PTA, the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States, and as such, we empower our members by modeling PTA best practices. As trustworthy advocates, our impact is evident through our members’ effectiveness in ensuring that all families are engaged in every child’s success.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many aspects of our daily life. Our responsibilities, priorities, and routines have changed significantly, however, by lifting each other up, providing assistance and encouragement where we can, and just being positive, we can make a difference in how we all navigate through these difficult times.

Many Wake County PTA units responded to the pandemic with hope and support, illustrating how much our community means to all of us. In times of need, our caring and compassionate spirits come alive. Multiple schools responded quickly and fluidly to ensure that the most basic needs of families were met, continuing the food service program and providing resources for remote learning.

• Fuller Elementary School in Raleigh distributed more than $3,700 in Food Lion and Sheetz gift cards to families in need. The PTA rallied and collected funds in less than two weeks, acting as quickly as possible to help those most impacted by COVID-19’s financial instability.
• In the first week of the shutdown, Turner Creek Elementary in Cary raised more than $900 to provide groceries for 30 families.
• Students representing Garner High School packed more than 10,000 meals for the Food Bank of NC in March.
• Enloe High School PTSA organized a food drive that served more than 200 families.
• Most recently, multiple Wake PTA board members participated in the effort to set-up 10,000 hotspots to ensure online learning could continue for families without internet access.

We know many more PTAs have done excellent work, responding quickly to changing needs in these uncertain times, and we thank each and every one for advocating for our students.

We are hopeful that these selfless acts will continue to take place long after the pandemic is over. This is an opportunity to remind our community of the importance of investing in our schools as we recognize their importance and the key roles that they play in all of our lives.

Stay healthy and safe, Wake County!