Tuscaloosa Or Bust

Nearly a month ago, tornadoes ripped through seven states, killing more than 300 people. Thousands were left injured and thousands more were left homeless.

This week, one local elementary school stepped up to the plate to help Tuscaloosa-area students and their families rebuild their lives.

Washington Mill Elementary School (WMES) students, families and staff members worked together over the last two weeks to collect clothing and other much-needed supplies to help the victims of last month’s tornadoes.

On Sunday, WMES Principal Dr. Lizette “Tish” Howard, along with three other volunteers, hopped in an SUV, U-Haul trailer in tow, for the 13-hour, 900-mile drive to Alabama. Upon their arrival, the group delivered their donation to Brookwood Elementary School, located in a small town four miles outside of Tuscaloosa. The next day, the group turned around and drove another 900 miles back to Alexandria.

WMES initially adopted Brookwood Elementary School after hearing about the violent tornados that literally destroyed 22 mobile homes in which 45 children from the school resided.Two weeks ago, teacher Jess Hebel approached Howard about her friend’s mom, a principal at Brookwood Elementary School, and told her about the struggles she and the school’s families have been dealing with since the tornadoes hit their small town.

Organizers said an overwhelming amount of clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, games, and school supply donations poured in as soon as the word spread about their efforts.

Howard said it was heartwarming to see how quickly the collection campaign was embraced by WMES families and other community members.

“No matter how bad you have it, somebody else has it worse,” Howard said, noting she hopes her students learn a valuable lesson from participating in the campaign. “My idea of a complete education is that we raise smart, empathetic, caring individuals…everyone agrees that it just feels good to do this for these families.”

When WMES PTA Vice President Sean McCarthy first heard about the school’s collection effort, he immediately volunteered to drive his SUV all the way from Alexandria to Alabama.

“As a parent, I immediately could identify with a situation like this, imagining the heartbreak of losing your home and all of your ‘stuff,’” McCarthy said. “My heart just goes out to these parents, as well as the principal of Brookwood Elementary School…she is working so hard to help get these families back on their feet.”

Community support for the campaign came in many forms. Several WMES families, the WMES PTA, the Mount Vernon Civic Association, as well as a local gas station, donated gas and meal money for the 1,800-mile, round-trip drive. U-Haul offered the group a significant discount on their trailer rental.