Barbara Grayson, a parent of

two students at Spring Hill (Carly, second grade, and Andy, fifth grade),

suggested that the school collect socks and baby wipes for the firemen

in New York City. Grayson had heard reports that firemen involved in the

rescue effort at the World Trade Center have to change their socks once

every hour due to the buildup of dust and rubble and holes caused by friction

from the concrete sidewalks. Baby wipes are needed to wipe the dust and

sweat from the firemen's faces so that they can continue their task of

searching for victims.

Grayson brought the need to

the attention of the school Friday, Sept. 14. Two large bins were placed

in the front hallway of the school the following Monday morning and by

7:30 a.m. the bins were already filled to the top.

"I'm stunned. I'm so proud

of these guys. I didn't expect the response to be so great considering

we just sent notes home to parents on Friday. This is unbelievable,"

said Michael Howell, principal of Spring Hill.

In addition to sending needed

supplies, the students were also asked to enclose a small note of encouragement

in the socks to let the firemen know how proud they are of them and what

a great job they are doing.

The school continued to collect

socks and baby wipes through Sept. 18. Grayson plans to package the supplies

and mail them to the New York City Fire Department today.

Back

to News Home Page |