To the editor:

I wanted to let you know what a kind, caring and generous community makes up Cordley Elementary School. I am but a humble fifth-grade teacher who approached my class about possibly helping the tornado-devastated town of Greensburg. Their immediate reaction was “YES!” And they were off! Keep in mind that there were less than three weeks of school left. There were many ideas of how we could raise money. It was finally narrowed down to a spare-change drive and also a bake sale.

Teachers set up collection points in their rooms. Students brought in money from their own piggy banks, lemonade stands and sofa cushions. Parents donated their own spare change.

Then came the bake sale. Students worked with their parents to create freshly baked goodies. Many students stayed after school to help run the bake sale and clean up afterward.

To add to the success, a few current and former KU athletes signed a basketball to help raise even more money for Greensburg.

On the last day of school we were able to announce to the school that we had raised $531. But with all of the excitement we forgot to count a part of it. The actual total donated was $621.

Our student population may be small, but their hearts are huge.

Heather Watgen,

Lawrence