Students helping peers in Hackleburg

Students at Madison Elementary School show the school supplies that they have donated for Hackleburg. Kindergarten teacher Lori Hellums is coordinating the drive.

Madison Elementary School is conducting a collection drive for school supplies for students in tornado-ravaged Hackleburg.

Kindergarten teacher Lori Hellums is originally from Marion County and the Hackleburg area. “Seeing the devastation and knowing so many of the teachers from the school, I felt there was a great need that we could fulfill,” she said.

Many Madison students remember the day of the storms, April 27, and wanted to help fellow students. “Our students have overwhelmingly responded by first bringing school supplies just after the storm and then picking back up in the fall and bringing cleaning supplies for the teachers and staff to use now,” Hellums said.

The Madison Elementary School population also is collecting new and slightly used children’s books to assist with restocking the Hackleburg library and classrooms. Hellums personally knows the principal of Hackleburg Elementary School, and she asked the principal how the Madison schools could help.

Hackleburg has no funds to purchase cleaning supplies, because many residents lost their jobs, the principal told Hellums. “She hasn’t been able to hold a fundraiser because so many citizens of the town have no jobs to purchase fundraising items,” Hellums said.

All grades and teachers at Madison elementary are supporting the drive, along with some other schools in the Madison district. “All of our students are interested in helping other students,” Hellums said. “Five-year-olds, as well as all students, have an innate goodness in their hearts to help one another.”

Practically any cleaning supplies will help, she said. “Anything from 55-gallon trash bags to hand sanitizer, paper towels, soap, mops and brooms.”

“I will gladly accept donations from any Madison residents,” Hellums said. “We should not forget the rebuilding in Hackleburg.”

Residents can contribute to the drive by leaving a message at 256-772-9255, sending email to lhellums@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visiting Facebook/Lori Roberts Hellums.