WHIGHAM, GA. (WTXL) - Schools usually have a friendly competition with each other, but after Hurricane Michael, one organization at Whigham School wanted to help out a neighboring district.
The October hurricane hit hard in Seminole County, especially at the elementary school.
"We lost 40 classrooms," explains Renea Pierce, the Seminole County Elementary School. "That was kindergarten, third grade and fourth grade. We are a pre-k through 5th grade school, so that was approximately half of our classrooms that were devastated by Hurricane Michael."
The members in the "K-Kids and Builders" service club from Whigham School decided to sell t-shirts as a fundraiser to help the neighboring school. Originally, the goal was to raise $500. Sales quickly surpassed that number.
"We had over 400 shirt orders and we raised about $2,000, but even just donating a couple of dollars helps them," says Jodi Lopez, a member in K-Kids and Builders Club.
And on Wednesday, club members presented a check to the elementary school principal.
"It is very, very humbling," says Pierce. "You just can't imagine. Through this, we have formed friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.
"It feels good because we were able to help out other people that were in need and maybe, if we have anything, they can help us out," adds Drake McCorkle, another member in the K-Kids and Builders Club.
It's clear that after this fundraiser, the residents within south Georgia are "Tribe Strong" and stick together no matter the weather.
According to Pierce, the donated money can help buy curriculum materials that were lost, as well as desks that were damaged in the storm.
