A group of Des Moines Public Schools parents and employees is launching a campaign today, on international Giving Tuesday, to raise money for additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for the district in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The fundraiser’s goal is to keep DMPS students, teachers and staff as safe as possible once it is safe to resume face-to-face learning. The funds the group raises will be used to purchase face shields for adults, disposable masks for students, N95 masks for school nurses and other employees exposed to bodily fluids, gowns and other PPE the district might require in the future.

Donations will slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community and help ensure the district can keep students and staff as safe as possible while in our buildings.

Although the district is providing some PPE, the need is significant and is constantly changing. The cost of providing adequate PPE to staff and students through the end of the school year is considerable.

Tax-deductible donations can be made online at the district’s secure donation site, or by mailing a check to the following address:

Des Moines Public Schools
PPE Fundraiser
2100 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321

This grassroots fundraising campaign was initiated by Nicole Paseka Grundmeier, a DMPS parent whose daughter’s teacher had one of the first cases of COVID-19 in the district last spring. Paseka Grundmeier said her goal is to simply keep people safe and out of the hospital.