Teen Starts 'Stay Safe Sandy Springs' GoFundMe To Protect Peers

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — A Sandy Springs teen has made it his mission to help his peers obtain a mask if they need one for schooling.

Eli McCall created a GoFundMe called "Stay Safe Sandy Springs" naming his generation, "Gen C" in reference to the coronavirus.

"We need your support more than ever during this COVID-19 pandemic," McCall wrote on the fundraiser. "Please donate and support our efforts to give a face mask to any student who wants a mask. Your donations can help students attend school safely and in person when the time is right."

The student led initiative aims to help students in need of a face covering, McCall said.

"Donations will help buy and distribute face masks to students across Sandy Springs and Dunwoody," McCall wrote. "Find us at your local grocery stores or pharmacies safely collecting donations and handing out masks to students."

As of Friday morning, the fundraiser has collected $250 of its $1,000 goal.

After many metro Atlanta school districts have announced plans for the upcoming school year causing plenty of disagreements, Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods said his department will support local school systems no matter what they choose to do this fall.

Now, with new school year beginning, public education experts are again being called to make public health decisions, Woods said.

"The same people – school leaders, teachers, parents, students, families, and state leaders – are making tough decisions once again," Woods said. "These groups of Georgians all agree that the ideal educational environment for our children is in the classroom. Trust me, as a veteran educator myself, I know teachers want to get back into their classrooms, too. But I also know safety must be at the forefront."

Most of Georgia's school districts, in talking with their families, staff, communities, and evaluating public health data, are currently planning an in-person start to their school year, he said. They are offering combinations of virtual options, hybrid models, or full in-person instruction.

"Other districts, particularly those in our metro areas, where there are high population concentrations and high COVID-19 case counts, have decided to go with full online learning with a planned phase-in to in-person instruction," he said. "The role of the Georgia Department of Education is to support the course of action decided upon by local school districts, so that we can work together to ensure a successful outcome for students. Whatever the start of school looks like, no one can guarantee a start without hiccups or challenges, but I can guarantee we will do everything possible to ensure our students are safe and learning."

Related: Local Districts May Choose Reopening Model: GA Superintendent