Memphis 09/03/20 – WMC Action News 5 raised $322,832 for Shelby County Schools’ Headsets for Learning, a fundraising drive to supply each student in the Shelby County School System with a headset to aid with virtual learning.

“The response from the Mid-South was overwhelming,” said WMC Action News 5 Vice President and General Manager Jonathan Mitchell. “The generosity of our community and local businesses exceeded our expectations.” On Monday, August 31, the first day of virtual classes for SCS, WMC Action News 5 hosted a day-long “Headsets for Learning” donation drive. Stories and interviews emphasized the importance, and need, of headsets for every student.

“The Headsets for Learning initiative has been a win for the students of Shelby County Schools as we make another significant stride in improving digital equity for more than 95,000 students,” said Superintendent Dr. Joris M. Ray. “Bridging the digital divide is the ongoing commitment of the SCS Board and the District, and we are tremendously grateful for our partners at WMC Action News 5 and SchoolSeed for helping advance our priority to ensure access for all.” “I am particularly proud of our staff at WMC Action News 5,” said Mitchell. “On top of the incredible job they did to produce this drive, members of our team personally donated more than $5,000. That, plus an additional $2,500 on behalf of WMC and a $5,000 donation from our parent company Gray Television made it possible for us to equip 50 classrooms with headsets.”

The Shelby County School System is the largest school district in the state of Tennessee. Headsets for Learning has a total fundraising goal of one million dollars.

“Thanks to this community, in just one day, we raised enough money to provide headsets to a third of all Shelby County students,” said WMC Action News 5 News Director Greg Phillips. “When we decided to partner with SCS on this project, we initially set our goal at $140,000. As the day progressed, we quickly surpassed that goal. I am grateful for, and humbled by, the generosity of our viewers.”

There is still time to give. A $10 donation will purchase a headset, but no amount is too small. Please visit www.wmcactionnews5.com/scs-headsets-for-learning/ to donate to the Headsets for Learning fund.

WMC Action News 5 is owned by Gray Television, Inc.