Jenison students raise thousands for NC flood victims
GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Jenison third graders raised thousands of money to help students still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, where flooding destroyed their elementary school.
On Friday, third graders at Sandy Hill Elementary spoke with those students over Zoom to share that they raised $5,308. The students have been working on the plan since October 2024 after their teacher, Tina Ryan, asked how they could help.
Jenison students plan fundraiser for North Carolina flood victims
The students came up with a number of ways to raise money during a fundraiser in the Jenison Junior High School gym last week. They had a book sale, a bake sale and a beverage stand with hot chocolate and lemonade. About 500 people showed up.
The students also collected pop cans during the fundraiser but had to explain what 'pop' was to the North Carolina kids.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
A look at remaining Helene debris at South Holston Lake in SWVA
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — Earlier this week, News Channel 11 spoke to Washington County, Virginia leaders who are addressing concerns about debris in South Holston Lake from Hurricane Helene. On Sunday, News Channel 11 crews visited the lake to see the state of the lake debris and talk to residents who frequent the waterway. At the Washington County Park and Campground, debris such as logs and limbs can be seen mostly in coves near the shoreline. PREVIOUS: Officials address South Holston Lake debris concerns Steven Statzer, the chairman of the board for the Washington County Park Authority, previously said the park is communicating with the Army Corps of Engineers to help with the cleanup. He said the agency is waiting on permitting to be able to help. In the meantime, he urged those who use the lake to use caution. One camper News Channel 11 spoke to said they've been doing just that because of the debris. 'We've seen a lot of large floating trees, limbs, deck parts,' said lake camper Anne Whitt. 'We actually encountered a house door yesterday.' Whitt said she still enjoys the water, just more cautiously. 'We're going a lot slower now. Because you just don't know where the trees are. We don't go out at night at all.' County leaders say that while the lake is federal property, they recognize the importance of the space as a recreational asset and are doing what they can to keep the waterway safe for all. Lake users are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any significant debris locations to authorities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
NC must be ready to pay for hurricane recovery if FEMA loses funding, Gov. Stein says
North Carolina legislators may need to put hundreds of millions of dollars into the state's rainy-day fund to help with hurricane relief in case the federal government stops supporting disaster recovery, Gov. Josh Stein says. At a press conference marking the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, Stein said Thursday that President Donald Trump's cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency could leave states on their own to fund disaster recovery. Cuts to the federal agency that provides emergency aid to individuals and communities after events such as hurricanes, floods and fires constitutes 'a man-made disaster,' Stein said. The governor also said he was concerned about cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, whose National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service forecasts provide the basis for weather-related planning to keep people out of harm's way. 'We are heading into this hurricane season with more uncertainty than usual,' Stein said, because funding for FEMA and NOAA are both in flux. Forecasters at NOAA and Colorado State University both have said they expect a busier-than-average hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. NOAA's forecasters say the Atlantic and Gulf coasts should expect 13 to 19 named storms in 2025. Of those, six to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes, including three to five that could be major hurricanes, Category 3 or stronger, with winds of at least 111 mph. The Atlantic basin has been in a period of more frequent hurricanes that are stronger and more destructive than in the past, probably due in part to climate change, researchers say. Hurricane Helene, which came ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast last September, was a tropical storm by the time it reached North Carolina, but has been blamed for 107 deaths in the state and caused more than $53 billion in damage, according to estimates made in October. As of May 30, FEMA said it had given North Carolina more than $656 million through the Public Assistance program, which funds state and local governments' response and recovery work, including road repair, debris removal and infrastructure repair. Through FEMA's Public Assistance program, the state received more than $484 million at a 100% federal cost share for 180 days, funding projects for road repair, debris removal, critical infrastructure repair and more. Since Jan. 20, 2025, more than $172 million in Public Assistance reimbursements has been approved to support the recovery efforts in North Carolina. The agency says it also has approved more than $455 million to help storm survivors pay for food, medicine, housing and home repairs, and another $22.4 million to repair private roads and bridges damaged by Helene. Stein and William Ray, the state's director of emergency management, said the beginning of hurricane season is a good time to start an emergency kit, which could be filled and ready to go when the season ramps up in North Carolina, usually beginning in August. has specific guidance on what to put into a hurricane kit and information on evacuation zones and routes. This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Rockford residents to gather in celebration of Steve Cloyd's life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A memorial service has been planned for Steve Cloyd, a Rockford native who died in Hurricane Helene. His celebration of life will be held at the Beloit Eclipse Center on July 27, from noon until 2:30 p.m. Cloyd's remains along the Nolichucky River on May 1st. 'We are heartbroken, but we now have the closure we waited for so long and our family can start to heal and mend the broken pieces along the way as we walk the journey of life guided by God and Steve,' Cloyd's wife, Keli, wrote on . 'Steve is coming home to us and for that I am grateful.' Keli, 55, and Cloyd, 60, were born and raised in Rockford. The couple moved from Rockford to Tennessee three years ago. Family members said he was known for loving the Minnesota Vikings, NASCAR and his quick sense of humor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.