The community at Peebles Elementary in the North Allegheny School District raised three times their goal amount for an elementary school severely damaged by Hurricane Ida.

It was part of a one-day “Love for Louisiana” fund-raising event held earlier this month. Peebles principal Susie Bjabolok set a $500 goal, but the total raised was $1,530.

The funding will go to Bayou Blue Elementary, a pre-kindergarten to second-grade school in the district of Lafourche Parish. It is located in Houma, La., an area located within the recent storm’s destructive path.

With electricity out and schools closed, it was challenging for Bjalobok to find a school to send its donations to. They finally were able to reach staff at Bayou Blue, and it was definitely in need as evidenced by photos sent to Bjalobok by the school’s secretary.

“It’s destroyed; the roof and desks. It was hit pretty hard,” Bjalobok said.

Bayou Blue closed on Aug. 30 in anticipation of the storm and has since been out of school as of Sept. 13, as noted on its website. More than 50 percent of customers in Lafourche County, La., were still without electricity as of Sept. 13, according to PowerOutage.US.

Students responded almost instantly when they heard of the idea to help schools affected by the hurricane, Peebles Elementary School counselor Jenna Stand said.

“They were able to connect that not only helping others in need is choosing kindness, but also helps them rebuild an environment for (a) school to stay safe while learning,” said Stand, who collected from the fifth-graders that day.

“The classrooms I visited had a reoccurring response from students, ‘helping others matters, Mrs. Stand.’ It was so rewarding to see the kids’ genuine excitement to give to a community in need, to people they have never even met,” she said.

Bjalobok said she’s impressed that the Peebles community raised so much in one day. Donations ranged from a nickel to $20.

In addition, students and staff were asked to wear red or something that shows their “Love for Louisiana.” Those who made a monetary donation could wear a hat.

Peebles is a school that prides itself on caring for others and making them feel included, as Stand affirms. They go by PES ROCKS, an acronym of Respecting Others Choosing Kindness Staying Safe.

“You cannot walk down a hallway or enter a classroom at Peebles without students and staff alike greeting one another with a ‘you matter.’ It is something we model and talk to the students about over and over each day,” Stand said.

Lisa Bruckman has a son in second grade, Declan, who was so excited to help with the fundraiser.

“I told him that I was already going to give him money to donate, but he said he had to give his tooth fairy money. So I matched his donation,” she said. “The school came up with a great way to get the kids involved by spreading love and kindness. This is what Peebles is all about.”

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