Hurricane Harvey and Irma destroyed businesses, homes, and people’s sense of security. For people across the country that watched the storms unfold, we sat wondering what we could do to help those that had been affected. Some of us donated money, some donated clothes and food, but students at Jacob Wiens Elementary School took a different approach and sent heartfelt cards to students in Houston.
The first week of Septemeber, Jacob Wiens Principal Dana Childs-Mazzei was contacted by her cousin Delores. Delores told Dana that she had a friend, Lynn, that was a teacher at Beverly Hills Intermediate School in Houston, Texas, and she was starting a campaign to receive 1,000 cards that could be given to students on their first day of school. The first day of school was postponed for students at Beverly Hills Intermediate due to Hurricane Harvey. Lynn wanted to make sure that students were given a hand-crafted card on their first day of school, September 11th, to help brighten their day and know that people cared about what had happened.
Teachers at Jacob Wiens rose to the occasion and helped students make cards for students in Houston. Staff was extremely impressed with how sensitive students were to those that were affected and the compassion they showed. They wrote a variety of different messages such as, “I really hope you guys are safe and I also hope everything will change soon,” “Don’t give up the brighter days are coming soon,” “We believe in your strength,” “I know you’re stronger than Harvey.”
“I am happy we were able to do this, because these students are going to remember this. This campaign allowed us to set a foundation for our students and how they can make a difference,” said Principal Childs-Mazzei.
Thank you to the students and staff members at Jacob Wiens Elementary School. Your compassion undoubtedly brightened the day of the students at Beverly Hills Intermediate School!