TOPEKA — A fund raiser put on by students and staff at Westview Schools in LaGrange County to help the people in Henryville brought in much more than anyone expected. More than 2 weeks after the disaster, the Red Cross of LaGrange County was given a check for $43,500.
"I thought we'd raise maybe $10,000 or $12,000. I was clearly wrong," Westview High School principal Rich Cory told his students after the announcement.
Students raised the money by collecting from the community and selling pop and cookies at school. There was a large anonymous donation of $10,000 that was then matched by a grant.
The high school has a close connection with Henryville.
Westview's former principal is now the principal there. But beyond the personal connection they feel they share a community connection.
"It kind of puts it close to home,” said Cory. “You know, they're five hours south, but they're just like us. They're a small rural school and we realize the stress and impact that has on a community."
