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Flooded school benefiting from donations

TILTONSVIILE — Kindness from Buckeye Local schools, businesses, organizations and the community are helping Buckeye South Elementary staff and students after flooding displaced them from their building.

More than 200 students in preschool through fifth grade have been using the former St. Joseph Catholic School on Mound Street in Tiltonsville since late August when clogged drains led to the infiltration of rainwater throughout the elementary building, damaging nine classrooms on South’s three floors. But the generosity of schools, local groups and community members is helping teachers and school leaders overcome the hurdle by preparing South for use once again.

Among those contributing were Marathon, which presented a $1,500 check to Principal Julie Packer to help finance repairs at South so students could return to their classrooms. Terminal Manager Craig Celestino said it was an honor for the company to support the school

“I’m happy Marathon has been able to support your disaster relief,” he told Packer.

She was equally grateful, saying every little bit helps.

“I’m so thankful for this donation from Marathon, and we’ll put it toward repairs to get back into the building,” she responded, saying the response has been amazing. “The community has been so helpful.”

Susan Nolan, principal of Buckeye North Elementary and a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority, said those two groups also contributed more than $500 to South to assist teachers, especially those who lost classroom decorations and supplies in the process.

“The sorority donated a check for $400 and most of its members are retired or current Buckeye Local teachers,” Nolan said. “The staff at North also donated $150, and both donations were given to the teachers for supplies. We did an Amazon Wish List to have at the church such as mobile dry erase boards and even asked for pencils to glue sticks. We got everything on the wish list from a variety of people. One teacher also collected items for a silent auction and we’ve gotten more donations for that.”

Packer said people have reached out with donations of money, supplies and even gift cards to help get reestablished.

“We will repaint the building, not just the rooms that were damaged, replace teachers’ items and make any type of upgrades to help the students.”

The largest monetary contributors were from AEP the Cardinal Plant in Brilliant and Colaianni Construction of Wheeling, while other donors included St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Rev. William Cross, Superintendent Kim Leonard, Assistant Superintendents William Luther and Scott Celestin, district Treasurer Merri Matthews, Buckeye South PTO, West Elementary/Principal Jim Rocchi, Buckeye Local Jr. High School/Principal Jason Kovalski, BLHS/Principal Luke Parsons, district maintenance, custodians Mike Todoroff and Brian Zinko, Rayland Dairy Queen/Emilee Petric, Midei Food and Fuel, Pizza Express, Nutrition Group, bus drivers, Erin Best and Jr. Panther Basketball, Landmark/Jeff Wood, Sam’s Club, Jim and Marsha Chrisagis, Tom Poluga, Imperial Teacher Store, Serenity Hair Salon, Jeff Neilly and Union Hall 809, Sharon Rhine and Lisa Brown, Sarah Lewton, Martins Ferry Arby’s, Furniture Rescue, Huntington Bank, Karen Pazelli, Thomas Pollock, Melissa Faulkner, Amy Bassinger, Lewis and Robyn Vittek, Michelle Thompson and Antonio Pape, Janet Bell, Shirley and Vince Pastre, Sandra Skatula, Jenn and Kevin Duck, Sarah Waldsmith, Becky Dutton, Bob Farmer, Amy McCutchen, Sommer Roth, Moose and Squirrel Cedar Log Homes, Dawn Patrone of Lampasone, Jennifer Stockman, START, Dinero Ciardelli, Tina Chappell, Tabitha Bednarek, Sharon McKeegan, Lacy McNeil, Michael and Christy Wyatt, Megan and Greg Whiting, Anthony Lollini, Kyria Howard, Jodi Steffik, Julie Dompa, Brooke Stingle, Ruth Burley, Dan and Mary Holt, Lindsay and Matt Farmer, AEP Cardinal Plant, Fulton Tire, Dr. and Mrs. Crake, Littlejohn Law Offices, Ciofani Family, Jeanie McFarland and coworkers, Patty Morgan and Pickerington teachers, Touchdown Club, Tangles, Roger and Margaret Warren, Lions Club and St. Clairsville Kroger.

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