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A Brampton private school that was on the brink of closing unless it raised $80,000 by the end of the month has reached its goal thanks to donations from the community and Toronto Raptors player Scottie Barnes.

Last week, Now Toronto reported that Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy had been fighting to keep its doors open as a result of growing financial debt.

The school, which provides programs for children in pre-kindergarten to Grade six, including for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), had been struggling to financially recover after it had been closed for a period following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polkadots had until Mar. 31 to pay off its $90,000 debt to its landlord to stay open, and launched a Go Fund Me campaign to try to save the school.

According to Polkadots Principal Josette Drummond, after the story was reported by Now Toronto and the Brandon Gonez Show, the school was able to reach its $80,000 fundraising goal before next week’s deadline.

“I was literally floored. And just the wave of every feeling of relief and joy, and all of those things came over me. I did my happy dance, and the staff that was here with me, and we all celebrated,” she said.

Drummond said that although the online fundraising was crucial to save Polkadots from closure, the participation of parents, who did what they could to help the school stay afloat, was also essential, and they were very relieved to learn the happy news.

“Parents came in and volunteered their time. Parents got on the phone and called to book parties, just to sort of rev up business for us. They themselves gave over and above what they really needed.”

“The sense of community, the sense of connectedness that I feel… We are truly a family, and that joy to be able to just continue what we’ve been doing and what they appreciate and value so much has just been the best feeling for everybody,” she added.

Besides receiving donations from several contributors online, Drummond revealed that she received a “generous offline donation” from Toronto Raptors shooting guard Scottie Barnes, after he learned about the school’s situation.

“I got that phone call from someone on his team, and she just expressed that he came across the story, and he was moved by it, and wants to help… beyond words, like a literal miracle,” she said.

According to the principal, Barnes’ donation was crucial to reach the goal and save the school from closure, and his team even took steps to make sure that she got the money before her landlord’s Mar. 31 deadline.

“I think it’s a testament to who he is as a person,” she said. “This is definitely something he didn’t have to do. So, the fact that he not only felt for us, but put actions behind that feeling and such significant actions at that, I think, is really just a testament of the remarkable young man he is.”

Thaddy wrote:This is really nice but he needs to be a better basketball player. There has been no improvement since last year. The virtue signaling, although nice, doesn't improve public perception of him. He really needs to have some kind of break out season soon or the tides will turn and fans will call for him to go.

Thaddy wrote:This is really nice but he needs to be a better basketball player. There has been no improvement since last year. The virtue signaling, although nice, doesn't improve public perception of him. He really needs to have some kind of break out season soon or the tides will turn and fans will call for him to go.

Tor_Raps wrote:When this country is giving billions to other countries and we have situations like this in our own damn country, you clearly know things are wrong. Great on Scottie for stepping up!!

Thaddy wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:When this country is giving billions to other countries and we have situations like this in our own damn country, you clearly know things are wrong. Great on Scottie for stepping up!!

Why should the government fund private programs? This is essentially the rich getting a donation from the rich. Where do you think autistic children with poor or middle class families go?

Tor_Raps wrote:

Thaddy wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:When this country is giving billions to other countries and we have situations like this in our own damn country, you clearly know things are wrong. Great on Scottie for stepping up!!

Why should the government fund private programs? This is essentially the rich getting a donation from the rich. Where do you think autistic children with poor or middle class families go?

Obviously if it was government funded, it would be available for EVERYONE. You must be fun at parties man lol.

Tor_Raps wrote:

Thaddy wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:When this country is giving billions to other countries and we have situations like this in our own damn country, you clearly know things are wrong. Great on Scottie for stepping up!!

Why should the government fund private programs? This is essentially the rich getting a donation from the rich. Where do you think autistic children with poor or middle class families go?

Obviously if it was government funded, it would be available for EVERYONE. You must be fun at parties man lol.

Thaddy wrote:This is really nice but he needs to be a better basketball player. There has been no improvement since last year. The virtue signaling, although nice, doesn't improve public perception of him. He really needs to have some kind of break out season soon or the tides will turn and fans will call for him to go.

Warned.

right between the eyes wrote:

Thaddy wrote:This is really nice but he needs to be a better basketball player. There has been no improvement since last year. The virtue signaling, although nice, doesn't improve public perception of him. He really needs to have some kind of break out season soon or the tides will turn and fans will call for him to go.

Warned.

Are you ever positive about anything? All I see you do is complain all day every day.

Yes there are many things where complaining is warranted regarding the raps in the last few years, but not this one. If there's one thread to not do that, it's this one. Take a break man!

Congrats to Scottie ! This should be applauded!

Thaddy wrote:

right between the eyes wrote:

Thaddy wrote:This is really nice but he needs to be a better basketball player. There has been no improvement since last year. The virtue signaling, although nice, doesn't improve public perception of him. He really needs to have some kind of break out season soon or the tides will turn and fans will call for him to go.

Warned.

Are you ever positive about anything? All I see you do is complain all day every day.

Yes there are many things where complaining is warranted regarding the raps in the last few years, but not this one. If there's one thread to not do that, it's this one. Take a break man!

Congrats to Scottie ! This should be applauded!

I don't like private programs meant for the rich getting hand outs from other rich people.

All disabled and autistic children deserve equal care, opportunity, and funding.

REJECTEDBYCLARK wrote:So what's going to prevent them from going into debt again? It's one thing to bail them out with cold hard cash to feel good about it but sounds like whoever runs that place needs to sit down with a financial advisor or accountant so they can have a sustainable institution that doesn't run into these kinds of issues down the line.

YogurtProducer wrote:

REJECTEDBYCLARK wrote:So what's going to prevent them from going into debt again? It's one thing to bail them out with cold hard cash to feel good about it but sounds like whoever runs that place needs to sit down with a financial advisor or accountant so they can have a sustainable institution that doesn't run into these kinds of issues down the line.

They said COVID.

A lot of these places operate at the absolute limit because they have to spend a lot to provide the care they promise. COVID was kind of unprecedented and harmed a lot of businesses.

Places like this don’t operate under the pretence of vast profits. They operate to support disabled children. “Private” doesn’t automatically mean it’s some super prestigious thing. We’re talking about a school specifically designed for ASD kids man. An area our government has dropped the ball on and unfortunately private enterprises have to fill the gaps.

As an accountant who’s socialized in NPOs, I’ve seen these places operate with generally annual grant funding that during COVID disappeared for a lot of organizations. Or they continued providing programming with limited resources.

Like my god - how are you people finding a problem with this?

DelAbbot wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:

Thaddy wrote:Why should the government fund private programs? This is essentially the rich getting a donation from the rich. Where do you think autistic children with poor or middle class families go?

Obviously if it was government funded, it would be available for EVERYONE. You must be fun at parties man lol.

Government does fund it already. Taxpayer money goes into public schools who hire special assistants that individually work with children with special needs like autism.

Calling on 720