Chicago Teacher Who Grew Up In Washington Helping To Raise Money For Tornado Victims
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A North Side teacher who grew up in tornado-devastated Washington asked her students to help her to help the victims back home and she says it's amazing how they, their parents, the school and community have responded.
Leah Putnam showed her fifth graders here at Jordan community school pictures of what happened to her old neighborhood. She's been in contact since soon after the tornado hit with friends on social media.
"While there's devastation and despair, there's hope and a lot of positive things, people are feeling, you know, being part of that community – it's a closely-knit community – and this is just bringing everyone closer together."
Teacher Who Grew Up In Washington Helping To Raise Money For Victims
She sent letters home with her kids asking for donations.
"Some kids have given fifty cents and that's great, you know, whatever you can give," said Putnam.
"I feel bad because they don't have anywhere to stay and they're probably cold and they lost their pets," said one of her students.
Leah says the response has been heartening.
"They just want to give and they want to help and they see what it means to help people, so its empowering them as students to know, hey, I'm one person but look what I did to help these people and I think that's important."
She's heading to Washington this weekend to deliver the donation jar and to help in any way she can.
Jordan Community School is located at 7414 North Wolcott. The school is accepting donations to take to Washington and donations can also be made at www.d52schools.com.
