With the fall semester being held online, most Burlingame clubs have had to acclimate to a virtual format. For the Burlingame Kids in Need (KIN) Club, the transition has been tricky, especially because the club’s fundraising events are reliant on in-person gatherings, such as the annual tree lighting and club food fairs. Additionally, the school cannot manage money virtually, so any fundraising a club undertakes must be through an online, third-party platform, such as GoFundMe. 

Despite these challenges, KIN Club members are optimistic about continuing their fundraising endeavors, and with the disparity caused by online learning, their goal of supporting underprivileged students continues to be of great importance. 

“During this time in school, because of the digital divide and because of lack of access to resources, we want to be able to use our privilege to help [underprivileged students]. In some ways, we now have more opportunities to help others during this time,” Co-president Sydney Crespo said. 

The club is currently discussing plans for their first fundraising event and are considering various online platforms to use. DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization, is one of the frontrunners, allowing users “to donate directly to public school classroom projects,” as written on their website.

“We actually have a connection with one of the parents of a club member who is a teacher in an underserved community in San Francisco. We’re thinking about working with her to donate money. Maybe we’ll make a GoFundMe, or just donate directly to [DonorsChoose],” Crespo said. 

In addition to continuing their fundraising endeavors from last year, KIN Club also plans to direct their efforts toward a new goal — raising awareness about underprivileged students and schools. The club is currently considering various proposals, such as spotlighting a “Teacher of the Month” from an underprivileged school and informing parents about places to donate. 

Despite the barriers that come with a virtual format, KIN Club hopes to take advantage of online opportunities in order to further their mission. 

“We want everyone to have equal opportunity and access to education,” Secretary Melanie Gordan said.