CLINTON, Tennessee — Clinton City Schools is showing generosity through a district-wide coin drive to help students at Northwest Elementary School after the Newport community was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
The three elementary schools in the district raised $4,655 to pay for a new water fountain for the younger grades at the elementary school, as well as some extra funds to provide a pizza party before the winter break. Tim Foshie, Northwest Elementary School's principal, said many people stepped up to support students.
"There's no shortage of people willing to help," Foshie said. "And there's no way we can return it, but we sure can try."
In addition to the coin drive, Clinton Elementary School also donated toys, which were delivered to students in Unicoi County, at Temple Hill Elementary School. Jenna Sharp, the Clinton Elementary School principal, said most of the community came together to help.
"Clinton is an extremely tight-knit community and we wanted to do something to help," Sharp said.
She also said as she and her staff went to Unicoi County, they got a better understanding of the damage done to the area. She said the coin drive is a small act but can help students understand and learn empathy.
"I think that the more we teach them and show them what other people need, the more we build community," Sharp said.