The Wendl Foundation, a south county 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is kicking off a pledge drive today — Friday — on the crowdfunding website

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The goal of the online pledge drive will be to raise money to purchase laptop computers to disadvantaged children living in the St. Louis Public Schools District, according to a news release.

There are only so many needs-based scholarships to private brick-and-mortar schools, and charter schools have limited space, the release stated. Low-income parents living in the city of St. Louis have only one option at that point: Opt out of the traditional school system and have their child use an online/virtual school.

The main constraint in attending a virtual school is the cost of a laptop computer. Laptop scholarships will be distributed only to children living in the city of St. Louis who qualify for the federal free and reduced student lunch program and use a virtual-school option, the release stated.

Individuals can view the online campaign and make a tax-deductible donation by visiting

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