CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Local radio station Q108 has started a fundraiser to purchase a washer and dryer to help students at an elementary school in nearby Erin, TN feel confident and productive at school.
Gretchen Cordy of Q108’s Ryan and Gretchen in the Morning recently read about a school in another city that discovered the reason they had such a high absentee rate was because children were embarrassed to come to school in dirty clothes and had no way to wash them.
After the school installed a washer and dryer, attendance was up dramatically and the children were even starting to participate in extracurricular activities.
When Ryan and Gretchen shared this story on the radio it was brought to their attention that Erin Elementary was experiencing the same problem.
“We received a heartbreaking email that told the story of a child who sometimes only had a meal if he came to school and was missing school because of the shame of his dirty clothes,” Gretchen said. “Can you imagine how self-conscious this child must be to starve to avoid the humiliation?”
A local Lowe’s location agreed to offer Q108 a deal on a washer and dryer, but funds are still needed to pay for them.
The station is accepting donations through a GoFundMe account to pay for the washer and dryer that will improve the lives of less fortunate children at Erin Elementary.