Across the school district and around the country, individuals and organizations are pitching in to support communities hit hard by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, the monster storm that wreaked havoc on the Texas coast last month before it stalled, dumping tons of rain on Houston, Beaumont, and other Texas and Louisiana cities and towns. Some aid agencies are others are requesting cash donations while others are asking concerned citizens to donate specific items. Over the next few weeks, you’ll read about some of the many school-based activities that are taking place to support families dealing with Harvey’s aftermath. Here’s one that involves schools in the Grayson and North Gwinnett Clusters as well as community partners.
Couch MS is spearheading a diaper collection drive to help flood victims in Texas. Through Sept. 11, the school will accept donations of all sizes of diapers, disposable training pants, and adult protective undergarments (disposable underwear, pads, and shields). Couch is located at 1777 Grayson Highway in Grayson. Other partners accepting donations for the drive include Suwanee ES (3875 Smithtown Road in Suwanee) and the Junior ROTC program at Grayson HS (50 Hope Hollow Road in Loganville) as well as Grace New Hope Church, Grayson City Hall, and Fit Body Boot Camp locations in Buford and Dacula.
“There is definitely a buzz around the building,” says Jeanine Kennedy, the Couch MS teacher who started the drive “The students have really embraced this drive and adopted our cause and we are looking forward to making this drive a success and showing Texas how great the Grayson Cluster and community are.”
Couch MS Principal Devon Williams praises the community for getting behind the effort. He notes that two local truck drivers with empty trailers contacted the school to offer their services at no charge. “These guys have such big hearts, they have offered to organize and pack the materials in their trailers” and truck the donations to Texas, says Mr. Williams. On Sept. 12, the donated diapers will be loaded onto the trucks and will be taken to the Texas Diaper Bank, a San Antonio-based non-profit organization that focuses meeting the basic needs of vulnerable babies, children with disabilities, and seniors. For more information about donating diapers to this school-community effort, call Couch MS at 678-407-7272.
