Clearwater elementary students, staff to donate items to Fort Myers elementary school damaged by Hurricane Ian
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lily Pettengil and her fifth-grade classmates in Leila Davis Elementary School's community service "Save Club" ran the show Wednesday morning, working together to separate and place donated items in boxes that will go down south.
"We've collected a lot of clothing. No perishable food. Toiletries," Lily shared.
She couldn't believe what she saw when looking at photos of damage and debris at Colonial Elementary School in Fort Myers after Hurricane Ian. Students, just like her, lost everything.
"I felt very sad for the people. I didn't know what to think of it at first," Lilly recalled.
Students in Leila Davis Elementary School's community service "Save Club" want to help victims of Hurricane Ian.
Neither did Principal William Durst and his teachers. But they did know, that it could have been them, and wanted to assist in any way possible.
READ: Hurricane Ian recovery efforts continue 2 months later
"I made a cold call to Principal Washington down in Fort Myers," Principal Durst added. "I had no idea how receptive he would be, but he was taken aback that an individual school reached out to their community and wanted to help support families getting back up on their feet."
Students at Colonial Elementary School in Fort Myers lost everything when Hurricane Ian made landfall.
Leila Davis Elementary School sponsored a breakfast for teachers at Colonial Elementary the day before students returned to the classrooms. But, with the holidays coming up, they wanted to do more.
Hometown: North Port's recovery after Hurricane Ian
A staff and family-led caravan will travel from Clearwater to Fort Myers this Saturday to hand-deliver donations to the school.
‘We’re done’: 2022 Atlantic hurricane season recap
FOX 13's meteorologist Jim Weber gives his final tropical forecast update for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. He gives an overview of the storms that formed and made landfall – including Hurricane Ian and Nicole. ‘You can have a quiet season and…it takes one hurricane for it to be a very season.’ The 2023 season starts June 1.
Principal Durst says he couldn't be prouder of his students who've spearheaded these efforts.
READ: Hope by boat: Neighbors rescued neighbors as Ian flooding moved in
"Be strong. We're going to get this stuff to you," Mateo Cascante wanted to say to his friends down south.
Students at Colonial Elementary School in Fort Myers lost everything when Hurricane Ian made landfall.
Donations thus far have only been what students brought to school, but there is an opportunity for the entire community to help.
On Friday, Dec. 2, the school is holding a drive-up donation event from 3:30-7:30 p.m.
It is looking for gently-worn clothing, toiletries, school supplies, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable foods.