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Richmond nonprofit bringing desks to students' homes for virtual learning

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RICHMOND, Va. -- Activist Chenice Johnson’s organization "JUST C" is on a mission to lighten the load for parents and students who are just weeks away from virtual learning.

Her group is fundraising through August 8 to help as many local students as possible get a desk so they can have an at home workspace. She said she is worried about students who simply don’t have what they need.

“It is heartbreaking and unfair that you have kids that are suffering and people aren’t thinking as far as like the homeless population of students whose parents don’t have a means to a stable place to live, so what kind of stable environment will you have for virtual learning,” Johnson asked.

The organization has started a GoFundMe and is hoping community partners will donate that way or via Venmo, PayPal, Cash App or by sending in a check. Johnson said her group worked an online deal and even has local volunteers lined up to help assemble and deliver the desks.

“The desks come not put together, so we have two youth organizations- the Rich City Spiders and 804 Legends that will help us put them together. We will deliver them two ways. If you are comfortable, we can deliver it to your home, or we will have a drive-through pick-up,” Johnson added.

Johnell Ferrell isn’t hesitating to jump in and help.

“This virtual learning is already a disadvantage for some of our kids, so the thing we can do to make it seem so much more like a work environment , that’s how we help them to be successful. It’s already a challenge, so providing desks and school supplies is the least we can do as a community” Ferrell said.

Johnson is hoping others will follow her lead. “If you are able to afford to give a little extra for someone, when you do that, you’ll get it back” Johnson added.

A donation of $310.00 can purchase nine desks. If you want to help, there are several ways. Through Venmo at $justC19 and through PayPal at: paypal.me/justCnonpr.

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