Jan's Closet Initiative

This program, launched in October 2018, is named in honor of Whitehills parent Mia Gougeon-Adarkwa’s mother Jan, who showed tremendous generosity and compassion to many children while Mia and her nine siblings were growing up. 

The program is funded by donations and is designed to enrich students’ lives and decrease barriers that would affect their ability to learn. About one third of the students at Whitehills Elementary qualify for free or reduced lunch. 
  • Examples of uses for the fund would be covering car repairs so a family in need can keep driving their children to school, buying winter gear for a student whose family might struggle to afford boots and snowpants, paying for a student's haircut, or purchasing emergency food to get a family through a week before a paycheck comes.
  • Outings such as a pack of tickets to the Potter Park Zoo or a children's theatre performance may also be provided through this program to enrich students' experiences outside of school.

​This is a confidential and need-based program with disbursements determined by the School Social Worker, Principal, and school staff.

The program’s financial account is administered by the WSA (separate from its general fund), with 100% of the donations going to support families in need.
  • The WSA matched $1,000 in donations to help launch the program.
  • The WSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; your donation is tax deductible.  

If You Need Help

If your believe your Whitehills student is in need of the kind of support that Jan's Closet might be able to provide, please contact Principal Johnson or Mr. Anderson, the school social worker. 

Make a Donation

Donations are gratefully accepted via cash, check, or credit card. The WSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your gift to help families in need is tax deductible. 

Checks can be made payable to the Whitehills School Association; please include "Jan's Closet" in the subject line so the funds are deposited to the correct account. Checks can be dropped off at the school, delivered to a WSA board member, or mailed to:
WHITEHILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT OLD DONLEY
2961 E. Lake Lansing Rd. Building A
East Lansing, MI 48823

If you prefer to give a gift online using a major credit card, please click the link to go to our secure online store, powered by Square. Scroll past the General Fund Donations section to Jan's Closet area, and you will be able to select a suggested amount or fill in your own donation in any amount.  

If you have a specific item or experience you would like to donate in lieu of a financial gift, please contact Jan's Closet Coordinator Mia Gougeon-Adarkwa. Examples might include a winter coat, a week at a summer camp, or a gift card for a haircut. 

How Your Gifts Have Helped

  • Help with utility bills, snow gear, food and Christmas gifts in December 2019.
  • Transportation gift card paid for in May 2019 to allow children to get to school
  • Multiple summer camp registrations paid for in May 2019
  • Two pairs of glasses were purchased in May 2019
  • Book bundles to encourage summer reading (purchased by school families and with Jan's Closet donations) were given to 21 students in May 2019.
  • Bicycles and helmets were purchased for two students in March 2019.
  • Yearbooks were ordered for a number of students in February 2019, to be distributed at the end of the year.
  • Financial assistance was provided for students to be able to participate in Girls on the Run in February 2019.
  • Christmas gifts, household goods such as comforters, and personal supplies like shampoo were delivered to children in December 2018.
  • New coats, snow pants, and gloves were given to several children in December 2018. More sets of coats, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves were distributed in January and February 2019.
  • Full Thanksgiving dinner baskets were provided to four school families in November 2018.
  • Family packs of tickets to Impression 5 Science Center, Potter Park Zoo, All-of-Us Express Children's Theatre, and Suburban Ice have been purchased and are being distributed throughout the year.
  • Gift cards to Culver's, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Hall of Fame Cafe, Menchie's, and other family-friendly venues have been purchased and are being distributed throughout the year.
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New bikes and helmets for two Wolves
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Summer reading bundles for 21 students
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Thanksgiving dinner baskets ready for delivery
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Christmas cheer on the way!

Launch Party a Success!

Thank you to the many parents, friends, and neighbors who were able to join us for cocktails and socializing at the Jan's Closet Launch Party in October 2018. Attendees were able to hear directly from Jan's Closet founder Mia Gougeon-Adarkwa about her vision for the program, and were also able to meet Mia's mother Jan Gougeon, for whom the initiative is named.

​Through the incredible generosity of this "village," Jan's Closet is initially funded at over $6,500 and will be able to begin making an immediate positive impact in the Whitehills Elementary family. (No Jan's Closet funds were used for party expenses.)
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Mia and Jan

Donor Recognition

We gratefully recognize the following donors who have generously supported Jan's Closet. Names will be added as gifts are received, with permission from each donor.
  • Alan and Renee Gurski
  • Alexander Morese
  • Angela and Dane Sprecher
  • Anonymous (x2)
  • Beth Brauer-Delaney
  • Bob and Sara Cunningham
  • Brandi and Jim Behm
  • Dan and Jen Nelson
  • Dori Leyko
  • Element Church
  • Erica Dziedzic and Osvaldo Hernandez
  • Giselle Claux and Gabriel Elia-Jacusiel
  • Gougeon Family Fund of the Bay Area Community Foundation
  • Janet Gougeon
  • Jeanne Loh
  • Jeff and Angie Smith
  • Joy Campbell and Kyle Enger
  • Justin and Kelsey Padgett
  • Kevin and Katie Blair
  • Lynne and Jesse Clyma
  • Matt and Bree Holtz
  • Megan Maas and Cabus Dewey
  • Melanie Nebbeling
  • Melissa Usiak
  • Mia Gougeon-Adarkwa and Kwafo Adarkwa
  • Mikey and Gigi
  • Nathanael and Mari Flynn
  • Newcombe Family
  • Remo and Linda Grua
  • Rose Vadnais
  • Samantha Crew and David Wheeler
  • Shane and Kelly Johnson
  • The Doctors Company
  • Whitehills School Association
  • Whitehills Elementary School families via the Spring 2019 "All for Books" program during the Dino-Mite Book Fair