Carson City, Nev. (Aug. 19, 2025) — Carson City School District’s McKinney-Vento Students in-between homes program concluded its gift card donation drive last week and is pleased to announce it raised more than $17,000 in gift cards and monetary check donations from the community.

Numerous businesses and individuals contributed in-kind (clothing, coats, shoes and school supplies) and monetary assistance, including the following:

  • Battle Born Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (Sponsored by Anderson Power Sports) 73 backpacks for Foster Care & McKinney-Vento Students
  • Bodine’s Casino
  • Charissa Thompson – Fox Sports & Amazon Video Prime sportscaster
  • Duncan Golf Management
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Kiwanis Club of Carson City
  • Resource Concepts, Inc.
  • Slot World
  • Snap-On Tools
  • The Dwelling Church

Initiated in July and spanning the summer through August 15, the gift card donation drive was designed to raise money and obtain gift cards valued between $20-$100 to help assist pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students in-between homes. Students in-between homes are those individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth sharing housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons.

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of our community,” said Hannah Etchison, special projects coordinator and McKinney-Vento and Foster Care liaison for the Carson City School District. “Every student deserves to begin the school year with confidence, and these donations will help ensure that children throughout Carson City have the materials and supplies they need to succeed.”

The gift cards and money will enable the school district to purchase clothing, hygiene items, shoes and other essentials. Monetary donations are preferred to physical items as student needs and sizes are constantly changing. The gift cards will primarily be used by the McKinney-Vento office to purchase needed items; however, occasionally, some gift cards will be given directly to the students and families in need.

Students in-between homes often live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations. Other primary nighttime residences may be designated public spaces not designed for regular sleeping, such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings. Students in-between homes may also include migratory children or unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian.

The school’s McKinney-Vento program helps these students receive an appropriate public education as well as the following services provided.

  • Enrollment in school immediately, even if students and families are lacking documents or if the student’s situation changes
  • Transportation to and from school, if needed
  • Free school meals
  • Referrals to outside resources
  • Support with school supplies, school fees or sports fees
  • Academic tracking and interventions
  • Assistance in obtaining required documents, such as birth certificates
  • Removal of other barriers that may impact educational progress
  • Scholarships and help with graduation needs
  • Summer programs

Still want to contribute? Donated gift cards or monetary check donations may be dropped off at Carson City School District McKinney-Vento, 618 W. Musser Street, Carson City, Nevada 89703. Donation receipts are available upon request. For more information, please contact Hannah Etchison, 775-283-1537, hetchison@carson.k12.nv.us.

ABOUT Carson City School District

Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,300 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative high school and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced-placement classes, among several others. In a joint venture with Western Nevada College, the Carson City School District Jump Start College program allows students to complete their senior year of high school and freshman year of college simultaneously. For more information, visit carsoncityschools.com.