Nick's Closet: a borrowing place for FFA dress

My name is MeeCee Baker, and I am a former high school agriculture teacher. When I heard of the senseless shooting of 14-year-old Nick Elizalde, an agriculture student at WBSaul, I wanted to do something to not only honor his young life but also show the WBSaul family that folks from across the commonwealth and country care. See links to the story below. I spoke with a faculty member, who suggested the idea of creating Nick's Closet, a place to borrow FFA (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) dress items and polo shirts students could wear to activities. I believe the agricultural education family, friends, industry, and many more who want to help will lift up WB Saul. The closet goal would be Official FFA Dress for 100 students, including jackets, shirts, ties or scarves, pants, belts, shoes, socks, and a string bag to transport the outfit. Dreaming big, we would also like to provide a team-type polo for every student, faculty and staff member, and administrator.

Further, having clothing racks, sturdy hangers, shelving, a steamer, and nice signage showcasing "Nick's Closet" would allow for appropriate storage and easy selection. When developing a budget, I realized the figure to do all of the above would be more than 40K. I am confident we can accomplish the task together and have "Nick's Closet" established for the start of 2023.

Below find answers to questions from the GoFundMe administrators.

1. How are you related to the person(s) you are raising funds for?

While I am not related to anyone at Saul High School, I am a retired agriculture teacher who lost five students during my tenure. Student deaths are devastating, and I wanted to lift the student's family and the Saul School with the fundraiser. GoFundMe allows folks across the county to add their support, care, and concern.

2. Your transfer plan to get the funds from your GoFundMe to the intended recipient(s)

The dollars raised will be transferred into my business account at Versant Strategies. Items for the closet will be purchased with these dollars, and any excess will be forwarded to the WB Saul Supporters Nonprofit. Doing all the ordering and having the items shipped will make it easier for everyone. Miller and Gentry accounting firm from Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, will provide oversight.

3. How the funds will be spent?

The funds will be used to purchase 100 FFA Jackets, 100 white dress shirts, 50 ties, 50 scarves, 100 belts, 100 black dress pants, 100 sets of socks, 100 pairs of shoes, 20 storage tubs, 100 wooden hangers, 30 thin covered hangers, 4 clothing racks, 2 larger steamers, and a sign for the closet. That is phase one and the costs exceed 18K. Phase two will be the purchase of over 500 embroidered team-type polo shirts for the Saul School.

Thank you so much for any help you can provide.

Links to the story.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/nicolas-elizalde-funeral-gun-violence-roxborough-shooting-20221005.html

https://6abc.com/nicolas-elizalde-murder-roxborough-high-school-deadly-shooting-philadelphia-ambush-football-players-shot/12280773/