A Las Vegas teacher is taking matters into her own hands, after she found out many kids at her school wouldn't have gifts for Christmas this year.
There are over 60 Title I HOPE students at Hummel Elementary, which means many of them are going to class every day despite being homeless.
In years past, Title I HOPE has put together Christmas stockings for needy students, because without it, many of them may not get Christmas gifts. However, this year, there just wasn't enough funding.
"For a lot of these kids, this is the one thing every year that is their own, that they don't have to give back," says Hummel Elementary School third-grade teacher, Kimberly Lang.
Title I HOPE does receive federal funding, but there isn't nearly enough to support the need across Clark County. According to CCSD, there are over 11,000 students considered Title I, which means they are homeless, couch surfing, or living in hotels.
Holiday programs through Title I often have to rely on donations.
Kimberly Lang says she received a notification that Title I students at Hummel Elementary may not receive the Christmas stockings this year.
Lang decided to step in, and posted on social media asking for help.
"I thought how can I, maybe this year just for the holiday season, make it easier for them, or make them not have to worry about the 'have' and the 'have-nots'," says Lang.
She says she received donations from organizations like Little Helpers of Las Vegas, and House of Teens. She says she had the biggest response from her home community of Inspirada.
Did you catch my story today? A local teacher is raising money to give her needy students Christmas stockings. Here's how you can help! pic.twitter.com/fPGMPOi7VI
— Marissa Kynaston (@marissaktnv) November 28, 2017
"The whole Inspirada community just kind of adopted our school, and has taken a major part in this," says Lang. "It's really nice to see my home community as a helping sponsor."
If you'd like to help, there will be a fundraiser held at Jolly Bean Cafe on December 15.
