Ballwin Kids Close Year with a Cause for Collections

Students at Oak Brook Elementary School in Ballwin took part in an effort to raise money for schools in Joplin, MO, many of which were devastated by tornado damage late last month that occurred throughout the area.

In total, $7,500 was raised by the district, which was part of the "Missouri Kids Helping Missouri Kids" statewide education initiative.

District spokesperson Cathy Kelly said the short length of time the students assembled the funds in was most impressive.

"They had a pretty substantial amount of money raised," Kelly said.

Parkway representatives said the dollars raised will be used for rebuilding efforts, some of which already are underway. A total of seven Joplin area schools were damaged by the tornado activity, while three schools, including Joplin High School, were destroyed completely.

The tornados hit Sunday, May 22, and were responsible for and as many as 156 deaths, news outlets reported this week.

“We can only imagine the sense of loss this tragedy has caused in the Joplin school community, and it’s great to see how Parkway students and others around the state are reaching out to help the kids in Joplin,” said Desi Kirchhofer, Parkway's assistant superintendent of secondary schools.

In addition to cash collected, students at and high schools collected a "truckload" of personal and househould items, Parkway representatives said, whch were delivered to Joplin schools over Memorial Day weekend.