Campbell Elementary Holds Fundraiser for ELL Paraprofessional Maria Gomez

Campbell Elementary hosted a benefit chili supper and silent auction on Dec. 30, 2025, to assist Maria Gomez, a longtime English-language learner paraprofessional at the school who is undergoing cancer treatment. The dinner ran from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with the silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets were sold at the door for $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under, and monetary donations were accepted to help cover medical and living expenses.

The event served both as a fundraiser and a community rally. School staff, parents and local residents turned out to donate items for the silent auction and to buy meals, seeking to generate flexible cash that can be used for immediate needs not always covered by insurance, such as co-pays, transportation, childcare and household bills. Organizers encouraged anyone with questions to contact Campbell Elementary at 970-522-2514.

Local grassroots drives like this one reflect a broader economic reality: households dealing with serious illness often face large out-of-pocket costs and income disruptions even when insured. In small counties such as Logan, those effects are amplified because personal networks and the local safety net are thinner than in larger metropolitan areas. Community fundraisers provide rapid financial relief, but they are also a sign that gaps remain in how health costs and income loss are managed at the household level.

There are also direct implications for the school. Paraprofessionals like Gomez play key roles in classroom support and English-language instruction; when staff face prolonged illness, schools must reallocate resources to cover both instruction and substitute costs. That can strain small school budgets and shift discretionary spending away from other programs. The reliance on community donations to fill gaps can be effective in the short term but points to longer-term questions about employee benefits, leave policies and local social services.

For Logan County residents, the event underscored the importance of neighborhood networks and local institutions in responding to crises. While the benefit offered immediate assistance, it also highlighted policy choices at county and state levels about health coverage, paid leave and support for educators that affect whether families must turn to ad hoc fundraising. Campbell Elementary’s contact number, 970-522-2514, remains the resource for anyone seeking more information on how to assist Maria Gomez or contribute to ongoing support efforts.