'Cash-For-Gold' Fundraiser Raises Eyebrows

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Is an elementary school the appropriate place for a cash-for-gold fundraiser?

At least one Gwinnett County mom doesn't think so.

Deloyce Dhoruba expressed her opposition about the fundraiser with Channel 2 Action News reporter Manuel Bojorquez.

Dhoruba said such a fund raising event at her daughter's elementary school puts students at risk.

"This is a school, this is not a pawn shop," said Dhoruba.

R.L.Norton Elementary School hosted a cash-for-gold event on campus for parents and staff during school hours.

Dhoruba said she understands the need for raising funds, but when she got a flyer last week, she couldn't believe it.



"Why is this being held during school hours? That is my biggest concern," Dhoruba said.

The event was advertised for Tuesday, March 16, through Thursday, March 18, from 7:30 a.m. until noon. The school said it notified parents but Dhoruba said the flyer gave them little time to object. Dhoruba said she e-mailed parents in her child's class and said she heard the same concerns.

"Will there be additional security? Considering that whoever is coming in, they're bringing large amounts of cash because they're hoping for a big turnout," Dhoruba said.

Dhoruba said she feels the fundraiser sends a bad message to students.

A spokesman for Gwinnett County Schools said Norton Elementary School researched the company doing the gold exchange and decided to use them since it worked well at other schools, without incident.

The school said it is trying to raise money to purchase pieces of instructional technology teachers and students are using on a trial basis.


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WATCH: 'Cash-For-Gold' Fundraiser Held At Elementary School
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"The company that the school has partnered with is set up in the front lobby where the fund raising is taking place during the day as this is when parents formally visit the school. Any visitor to the school, including parents, would follow the check-in procedure for visitors," officials said.

Dhoruba said she would have not minded if the event had taken place after-school or off-campus.