In an effort to help this community Missouri PTA is reaching out to all of you. If you can help or know of an organization that can, please feel free to forward this on.

There has been a tragic fire at the Fredericktown Middle School (just east of Cape Girardeau), and the school has been devastated both physically and emotionally. A tremendous amount of history has been lost, and the recovery process will take time. Many have expressed a desire to lend a helping hand in anyway necessary, and the district is very grateful. At this time, they have compiled a small list of necessities needed for school to resume. Classes will be held at a local church.

Any donations may be mailed to:
Fredericktown School District Central Office
704 I Highway 72
Fredericktown, MO 63645
Phone number (573) 783-2570   fax (573) 783-2570

Thanks for your support!
School supplies needed by teachers are:
Dry Erasers                                                    White Board Markers
Tape                                                                Pens
Pencils                                                           Staples
Erasers                                                          Tape Dispensers
Staplers                                                         Colored Pencils
Markers                                                          Tissues
Index Cards                                                   Flash Drives
Copy Paper                                                   Books
White-out                                                       Bottle Water
Legal Pads                                                    Pencil Sharpeners
Paper Clips                                                   Calculators
High Liters                                                     Scissors
Three hole punch                                         Rulers
Protractors                                                     Post-it notes
File Folders

Missouri PTA hopes that you can see the need and find it in the hearts of your members to help this community. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Wendy Jackson, Missouri PTA president

A quick note regarding disaster relief and PTA units.

If a PTA is collecting funds, it is best to ask the donor to make the check payable to the agency receiving the funds. The PTA can collect the checks and forward them to the agency. It is better if the PTA does not deposit the money into its regular bank account.

If the PTA does deposit checks into its regular bank account, it will have to declare these funds as income. The PTA should keep accurate records of the deposit and disbursement of those funds.

A PTA can vote, per its bylaws, to donate its own funds to a relief agency, provided that that agency is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Any substantial contribution from PTA funds should be to an agency that focuses on a school- or student-related relief effort.

PTAs involved in disaster assistance must also consider how they will keep information about the beneficiaries confidential. A PTA may wish to partner with the school district or another community agency to guard the privacy of the displaced citizens and to ensure
that donations get where they are most needed.