My dear friend, Claresa, and her big heart. Fundraiser for her former student in NYC.

Click link for MsMandola’sEdFundGoFundMe

I’d like to share my dear friend, Claresa’s, wish for one of her former students with you. Below are two emails. What began as a passion project to help one of her students has grown to help more. Claresa now has a fund to spread the love to more students in need of financial assistance.

November 17, 2020

“Remember Frandy, my former student who has basically been family to me for over four years now? Well, we still have $4,000 to raise for his sophomore year tuition. I haven’t been on my fundraising game lately because, well, you know, teaching in a pandemic… but I am so fortunate that my nonprofit partner, Credit Do, and the On Being Human 2020 Food Drive Fund will match donations raised by November 30th up to $1,000!!! Your tax-deductible donation to Credit Do will be used to fulfill Frandy’s educational grant and go directly to his tuition account. You can read Frandy’s full story on my GoFundMe page where you can also make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation and literally change Frandy’s life trajectory. Thanks in advance for anything you can give during these crazy times! Please feel free to share link as well.

Love,

Claresa (aka Ms. Mandola or just "Misssssssss")”

August 25, 2020

“Remember Frandy... my former student who grabbed my heart the year after my Dad died? Well, he's still in my life, four years later... and, thanks to the generous donations from many of you, he completed his freshman year at Cardinal Spellman, a prestigious Catholic high school in Bronx, NY. With your help, Frandy could be the first member of his family to go to college!

Frandy powered through a really tough freshman year... a bout with scarlet fever, the sudden death of his beloved Grandma and this insane pandemic. He’s looking forward to attacking his sophomore year with more life skills and confidence under his belt, and his lacrosse coach all but guarantees that he’ll make the varsity team. Frandy got a three-year partial scholarship from a school sponsor, but remaining tuition costs for his sophomore year are still roughly $4,200.

So yes, you guessed it! I’m helping Frandy raise the funds for his sophomore year tuition. However, this year, your donation will be TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

I recently partnered up with Credit Do, a nonprofit, community-based organization which teaches young students financial empowerment. I will be working alongside Chris Avila Hubschmann, founder and CEO of Credit Do and my dear friend of almost 30 years. With Credit Do, I’ve created a GoFundMe charity campaign called “Ms. Mandola’s Educational Fund” which will financially support the needs of my current and former students. My students will apply for grants to pay for tuition, school uniforms, sports equipment, books, field trips, school supplies and lunch cards. Your donation will go directly towards helping close the opportunity gap for children who I personally know and love… and Frandy’s tuition is currently my top priority.

I know times are tough for so many right now, but, seriously, any amount at all makes a difference and is so greatly appreciated. Your tax-deductible donation to Credit Do will be used to fulfill Frandy’s educational grant and go directly to his tuition account. Here’s the link: https://gf.me/u/ynhp5p

From Frandy: “Many of you took a chance on me last year, and I am so grateful. If you give me the chance again, I promise to work hard in school and on the lacrosse field... and to make my family proud.”

From me: Thank you for supporting this kid who is so special to me. Without knowing it, he saved my heart four years ago, and I’m forever grateful. Sending love to all of you during these challenging times. xoxo

Love,

Claresa