2NDGEAR Teams up with Culture 505 to Support School Supplies Drive
2NDGEAR has again teamed up with Culture 505 to support the 2nd annual Santa Fe school supplies drive, donating 225 gently used backpacks to the ongoing drive.
Local musician and founder of Culture 505, Raashan Ahmad, leads the ongoing fundraiser for Communities In Schools which serves 6000 K-12 students in nearly a dozen Santa Fe, New Mexico area schools. This year more than $1200 has been raised through outreach efforts including a GoFundMe campaign and ongoing collections at Ahmad’s concerts. The funds were used to purchase specific requested items such as pencils, pens, 5-Star notebooks and more. In addition, 2NDGEAR donated high-quality backpacks to the cause.
“2NDGEAR began operations in New Mexico last year and we have been welcomed with open arms into this great community,” said Frank Wiacek, President, 2NDGEAR. “Raashan has been an inspiration and we are so proud to be part of the ongoing effort that makes a difference in so many lives in this area. We are committed to the communities in which we live and work, and feel it is important to use our resources to give back.”
The backpacks and supplies were delivered to Communities In Schools in August so that they could be distributed to students in time for the first day of school. Throughout the year additional supplies will be refreshed to ensure students have continued access as needs arise. As such, the fundraiser is ongoing.
“It is wonderful to see the outpouring of support for this important cause continue to grow. It speaks to the power we have when we come together,” said Raashan Ahmad, musician and Culture 505 founder. “Working with Communities In Schools had made me aware of just how great this need is. 2NDGEAR has been amazing and we are grateful to all those who have donated. I encourage everyone near and far to support this important cause.”
“We are deeply grateful to Raashan Ahmad and 2NDGEAR for generously donating 225 backpacks and tons of school supplies to Communities In Schools of New Mexico (CIS) in support of our annual school supply drive. Last summer, Raashan initiated the fundraiser and made the connection to 2NDGEAR, leading to a now annual event that is helping so many CIS kids. Thank you to Raashan and 2NDGEAR for stepping up with genuine care for our community’s young people who cannot afford school supplies. Our students were absolutely thrilled to receive the backpacks. It made starting the new school year a more positive experience, overall.” Julia Bergen, Communities In Schools of New Mexico.
2NDGEAR provides affordable, high quality new and refurbished technology to educational institutions and businesses. The company is committed to supporting the academic needs and technology advancement of area students, families and residents. In the past year, 2NDGEAR was proud to participate in additional community programs including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico Discovery Festival and Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Hour of Code.
To donate to the school supplies drive please visit the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/school-supplies-for-santa-fe-kids
For questions and additional information, email us at info@2NDGEAR.com
