Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Amy Dunkin. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

A Pelham resident who works as a speech therapist at an underfunded public school in the South Bronx is on a campaign to raise money for basic supplies and teaching aids to offset deep budget cutbacks.

Shauna Morris says her school can’t even provide essentials such as paper towels and disinfectant wipes, and the students, many of whom are nonverbal and have severe learning disabilities, have few educational tools that can stimulate them. She said the Pelham community has been extremely generous in donating classroom supplies, books, and learning tools through her appeals on local Facebook pages. But the need is still great.

(Shauna is at P.S. 161 on Tinton Avenue in the South Bronx, but the school is one of six that make up P.S. 17x.)

Recently, she turned to Donors Choose, a platform to raise money for school projects, to further support the school. “I hope to fund items such as engaging materials for reading and math, boards to help them develop independent skills such as shoe tying, and basic supplies such as tissues,” Ms. Morris said. “Since my school is so big and the need is so great, I am trying to get more for everyone at the school.” Ms. Morris said an earlier Donors Choose campaign she ran in the fall was fully funded. But with 23 classrooms in her school, it still didn’t cover everything she needed.

Anyone interested in purchasing items for Ms. Morris’s school through Donors Choose can go to this link. The drive must reach its goal by Apr. 18, 2024 in order for Ms. Morris to receive the materials she requested.