22-02-2025
Knox County third graders raise money for Helene relief by running laps
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — How do you explain the impact of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene to third graders? One school in our area came up with a way to teach kids about helping in hard times.
Third graders at Pleasant Ridge Elementary in Knox County proudly showed a check for $1,553.50. They worked hard to raise the money by doing laps for the school's reindeer run a few months ago. Their donation to the East Tennessee Foundation will go to victims of Helene, who face a long road of recovery ahead.
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'I am humbled thinking about these kids, administrators and families that just honed in on this specific opportunity to make other people's lives better,' said Keith Barber with the East Tennessee Foundation.
It's one thing to see a video of the devastation on the news. It's another to know, as a nine-year-old, exactly where it is and why the miles don't matter when it comes to helping our neighbors in need.
'One of the things we talk about a lot in our school is how to be a good neighbor to other people,' said Principal Jennifer Morrell.
'I feel very bad for them that they lost their homes and I would say I'm glad that we raised the money for them so they can have their things back,' said third grader Ryland Guzzo.
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'It means that they need the money more than we do because they had the hurricane,' said Kayden Crimmins, another third grader.
'It meant a lot to me to help people that need help and have been in the hurricane,' said Ivy Lawson.
The students were given a form in December for parents to fill out and they kept up with the money they raised through the laps they did.
'We went front the middle of the gym to outside and down the stairs, around the driveway and back,' said Guzzo.
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The group did between 31 and 37 laps each in one day. Putting their hearts into every step on that cold December day, the whole school logged a total of 350 miles. That's the equivalent of walking from Knox County to one of the flooded areas in Cocke County just over six times.
Thanks to the generosity of these students and others from here and around the world, East Tennessee Foundation's Neighbor To Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund has distributed more than $1.1 million in 43 grants for recovery efforts throughout East Tennessee. To learn more or donate, visit
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