Care to Learn establishes Fordland chapter

Fordland School District representatives met with Care to Learn and Community Foundation of the Ozarks officials Friday to establish the 10th chapter of Springfield-based Care to Learn.

Care to Learn helps school districts provide food and health and hygiene products for school-age children in need. The nonprofit, which operates as a fund of Community Foundation of the Ozarks and has a Springfield office at 411 N. Sherman Parkway, helps school districts raise money through fundraising efforts and other means, according to Morey Mechlin, executive director of Care to Learn.

She said Care to Learn is working with the Fordland School District to raise money through an upcoming 5K run and a car show.

Mechlin said Fordland School District officials approached Care to Learn for help in the Webster County district.

"They'll be our poorest district at 70 percent free and reduced lunch," she said of Fordland's 604-student population. "They have a great need in that area, but a very caring community."

Care to Learn has two Springfield chapters through Springfield Public Schools and Ozarks Technical Community College, and also has chapters in Bolivar, Clever, Fordland, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Rogersville and Willard.

The fund was founded in April 2008 by local businessman Doug Pitt and is supported by actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie through their Jolie-Pitt Foundation and local businessman Jim D. Morris. Since its inception, Care to Learn has helped to fulfill roughly 100,000 requests.[[In-content Ad]]