SAN BERNARDINO, CA – In the aftermath of the school shooting at North Park Elementary School this week, many individuals and organizations have reached out to offer support for San Bernardino City Unified School District efforts to bring healing to the school and surrounding community.  With gratitude for these heartfelt expressions of humanity, the district’s Making Hope Happen Foundation established the Hope for North Park Elementary School fund to receive charitable contributions.

Gifts to the fund will be used to assist North Park Elementary School with supports that may include counseling for traumatized families, remodeling impacted facilities at the school, assemblies and activities to restore a sense of emotional security for students and eventually scholarships college scholarships for students. Donations can be made at www.makinghope.org/northpark.

“As we continue to heal from this heartbreaking event, we are gaining clarity about how to help our school family and community recover; however, we know there are many unforeseen needs that will arise,” said Dale Marsden, Superintendent, San Bernardino City Unified School District. “The Hope for North Park Elementary School Fund through our Making Hope Happen Foundation can help ensure we have quick access to resources when then are needed most so response is never delayed.”

The shooting on April 10 opened emotional wounds suffered across the City of San Bernardino as a result of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack compounding the need for recovery supports.  While the district is coordinating with agencies throughout the region to identify resources, philanthropic support brings a powerful and more personal message of caring.

“We have seen a real heart for helping emerge in San Bernardino and beyond,” said Sam Gibbs, President of the Making Hope Happen Foundation. “Giving to the Hope for North Park Elementary School Fund offers perhaps the most constructive charitable opportunity for people who what to give.”

Proceeds of the Hope for North Park Elementary School will be allocated in coordination with district leadership to support school and community recovery efforts that will be needed long after the news of the event has faded.

The Making Hope Happen Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, was established to support the hope making mission of the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Gifts to the Hope for North Park Elementary School Fund are tax deductible. For more information about the organization and the work it supports visit www.makinghope.org or contact the San Bernardino City Unified School District Community Engagement Office at (909) 381-1294.