CHS Staff Pay It Forward

Carson High Teachers and Staff Receive $10,000 to Pay It Forward
Posted on 04/09/2019
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Carson High School teachers and support staff were surprised this morning at their regularly scheduled 7 a.m. faculty meeting in the library before classes began. A total of $10,000, parceled out in individual envelopes containing $50 bills, sat neatly organized on a table across the room. Every teacher, custodian, kitchen worker, counselor, para pro and faculty member was given $50 to “Pay It Forward.”

Pastor Chris White from Fountain Foursquare Church in Carson City made the donation and announcement to Carson City School District employees at the Carson High School meeting.

“Over on the table here is $10,000 in cash, and one lucky winner is going to walk away with all of it,” Pastor White jokingly said in his best announcer voice during the faculty meeting. After the laughter, he continued “Every year, our church gives some sort of donation to a school in the area. The idea behind this donation is, we wanted to give every teacher, faculty and staff member $50 in cash for you to use however you want. We trust each of you will use your best judgement on how to pay that forward: whether it be to benefit a student or someone in need or accept it as a gift yourself.”

The only stipulation set for the donation was that those teachers and Carson High School staff members share the story behind how the $50 was used. Attached to each envelope was a form for teachers to fill out. It read as follows.

The “Pay It Forward” challenge is designed to serve Carson High School, its students, and faculty! We would like to give every faculty member at Carson High School $50.00 to pay if forward (gift it) to someone or something at the school. The only thing in return, is we would like to hear the story behind the gift. There are no strings, it can be spent on anything! The story behind my $50 was….

“There are so many benefits that come to not only the receiver of such a generous gift like this, but also the giver gets a boost to their soul, body and spirit,” said Richard Stokes, superintendent for the Carson City School District, who was present during the meeting. “I am sure there will be many hearts touched over the course of the next few days and even weeks. I am excited to learn and hear of all the stories of how students and individuals will benefit from this. I’m sure there are those who may need athletic shoes or supplies to compete in a sport or fees paid to take the ACT.”