Westview Finalizes Fundraising For Henryville
On March 2, southern Indiana
was rocked by a series of storms and
tornados. These storms wreaked havoc
on several communities destroying
homes, businesses, and schools. In
the immediate aftermath, Westview
Junior-Senior High School began planning a series of fundraisers to help fellow Hoosiers to the south. Henryville
High School was one place that was hit
especially hard and thankfully there
were no injuries. The Principal at Henryville High School is Mr. Troy Albert.
Albert was the principal at Westview
High School from 2004-2007. His wife,
Karen, also taught at Westview and
she graduated from Westview. Karen’s
family still lives in the Westview
district.
Since there was a strong connection between the communities, the
staff at Westview knew they needed to
do something and the community was
called upon for their generosity. At the
end of the fundraising, no one could
have imagined just how much generosity was in this area. In total, $43,500
was raised by the efforts of Westview.
An anonymous donor gave $10,000
with an additional matching grant of
$10,000. The community heard the call
and opened their pockets too. An additional $23,500 was raised by students
at Westview Junior-Senior High School
and from community members. People
from Goshen, Elkhart, Lagrange, Albion, and even as far away as Huntertown contributed to the fundraising. In
addition to financial donations, people
dropped off clothes, food, and hygiene
supplies. A semi truck was loaded the
first week with all of the supplies and
sent on a semi tractor owned by Tony
Guyas. Tony is the brother-in-law of
Karen Albert. This past week, Tony
picked up another load of supplies and
headed south again.
This was an all out effort by the
community. High School Principal
Rich Cory called a meeting first thing
Monday morning after the tornado
with the office staff to begin the early
planning and brainstorming of ideas.
It was decided that the school would
sell pop and cookies, collect change,
and have hat days for the students. The
office staff thought they might be able
to raise a few thousand dollars for the
Red Cross and Henryville. They were
way off.
“Once the story hit the newspapers, people from the surrounding
areas were willing to donate to the
relief effort as well. We began receiv-
Schrader of the Lagrange County Red
Cross accepted the check and will put
the money directly towards the tornado
relief efforts in Henryville.
Westview would like to thank the
people that freely gave their money to
help a good cause. Without the generous hearts of the community, none
of this would have been possible. It is
also important to thank the follow-
(left to right): Westview High School Principal Rich Cory, Westview Junior High School Principal, Paul
Johnston, Laura Lemmings LaGrange County Community Foundation and Jo Schrader Red Cross.
Hometown Treasure Photo
ing checks on a daily basis. One person
walked in and handed us $500 in cash,”
said Cory.
The strong outpouring from the
community was well above and beyond
what anyone had imagined. Students
began collecting change in their first
hour classes in hopes of earning a pizza
party for the class with the highest
total. Students were bringing in $100
bills and cupfuls of change. The school
kept stressing the point that for each
dollar raised, it would be matched
through a grant. The grant money was
more than matched in the first few
days of fundraising.
Junior High Principal, Paul Johnston, used his connections at the Lagrange County Community Foundation
to set up an account for people that
wanted to donate money anonymously.
The Community Foundation in turn,
served as a holding place for that money before it was given to the Red Cross.
As of today, $43,500 has been collected
and is being given to the Red Cross. Jo
ing people and places for their help
and support during the fundraising;
the students of Westview JuniorSenior High School, Westview Staff,
Meadowview Elementary, Topeka
Elementary, Westview Elementary,
KSS Enterprises, Forks County Line,
Shipshewana Auctions, Save A Lot,
Emma Café and Catering, E & S Sales,
Tony Guyas, Lagrange County Community Foundation, and the Red Cross.
Forks
County Line
Discount Groceries
With locations in Shipshewana
and Middlebury to serve you best.
On the east edge of Middlebury at 508 E. Warren Street
In Shipshewana North Village just east of SR 5
Hrs: Mon.-Thur. 8-5:30, Fri. 8-7:00, Sat. 8-4:30
The Hometown Treasure · Apr. ‘12 · pg 55