ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Historical Society will participate in the annual Big Day of Giving on May 7 with a special fundraiser benefiting the Rhoads School Living History Program. The 24-hour giving event will support scholarships for local students and celebrate a major milestone for the beloved educational program.

The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $10,000 for the Rhoads School Scholarship Fund, which provides access for local students to participate in a hands-on 1890s classroom experience. An additional $10,000 will support the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Rhoads School program, helping preserve and expand this unique living history experience for future generations.

The Rhoads School Living History Program immerses students in the daily life of a one-room schoolhouse typical of rural Sacramento County in the late 19th century. Students dress in period-style clothing, participate in traditional lessons such as reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling and penmanship, and engage in recess games played more than a century ago. The program allows children to experience history firsthand rather than simply reading about it in textbooks.

Community members are invited to participate in the Big Day of Giving by donating online or visiting the Elk Grove Historical Society Museum in person between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. May 7. Light snacks will be available for guests who stop by during the event.

“Help Students Experience History, Not Just Read About It” is the theme of this year’s campaign, reflecting the Society’s commitment to interactive, place-based education that connects young people with Elk Grove’s rich heritage.

Donations made during the Big Day of Giving will directly support student access and ensure the continued success of the Rhoads School Living History Program for years to come.

For more information or to donate, visit bigdayofgiving.org/organization/elkgrovehistoricalsociety or call 916-685-8115.