School desks donated to Chase Home for Children in Portsmouth

Portsmouth-Thanks to the fundraising activity of the Portsmouth Barbershop, 15 residents of Chase Children's Home have new desks.

Reed Maerder, the founder and owner of The Groomsmith, created and promoted the GoFundMe page for his customers and the community to help purchase these tables for a total price of approximately $1,200. The goal was reached within 12 hours after the fundraising campaign started.

"We just put the boat there, everyone jumped on the boat and got where they needed to go," Mulder said.

Chase Children’s Home Executive Director Mem Wheeler said that the desks were put down on Monday, December 14, which made the students and staff very happy.

She said: "The children are really excited, and the staff are really excited, because another feature of it is that children can have a table, which really adds to the structure of the day," "Psychologically speaking, This is very helpful."

The average age of young residents of Chase Children's Home is 15 years old, and the age range of school students is from junior high to 18 years old.

Wheeler said that desks can help employees ensure social evacuations during distance learning, and follow the generous gift of donors at the end of last year to expand WiFi connections throughout the building.

She added: “It’s more of a formal process for them than carrying a laptop with them.”

Since opening on Deer Street in 2018, Groomsmith has partnered with Chase Home for Children every year during the holidays to support its residents. Wheeler said that once, Maerder and his team invited some boys who were living in the non-profit resident program to get haircuts. They "absolutely liked" haircuts.

The gifts Maerder and his team received from the community are not limited to this. Due to increased funding from customers and other locals, another $1,400 was raised. Wheeler said she will use it to buy laptops, so every resident will have his own equipment.

"It was quite successful," Meld said. "For us, raising funds is an interesting thing." 

This generous act is of great significance to Wheeler and his team, and ensures that the young people at Chase Children's Home are “safe and stable” and have the tools they need during distance learning.

"This is incredibly inspiring. We are forever grateful to our community and The Groomsmith," she said. "If we didn't have people like them, we wouldn't exist."

The donation by Maerder and his team coincides with the donation home of Chase Children's Season, which is usually funded through the annual wine and chocolate tasting event of a non-profit organization. Due to COVID-19, an online fundraiser was held to raise $19,000.

Help the dedication season of Chase Children's Home

To reach its goal of $50,000, please visit 

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