Perrin students help sister school damaged by storm

Students from Perrin will be helping a sister school damaged during the storms resulting from Hurricane Harvey.

Perrin alumus Craig Schweitzer, who teaches fourth grade math and science at Scanlan Oaks Elementary, reached out to Perrin Elementary Principal Amy Salazar for help after learning another school in his district, Fort Bend ISD, was damaged by flooding.

Salazar set up a fundraiser in which each class will collect donations through Sept. 14. At the end of the donation drive, all of the classes have been paired up with a Perrin graduate who will match the donations.

“There were so many that wanted to do it, some classes will have two that will match,” Salazar said.

Matching donors are Ty and Kaitlyn Salazar Ashley, Chad and Davitte Hamilton Gardner, LeAnn Gregg Haines, Class of 2008, Jennifer Elrod and family and Delaina Henderson and family, Russell and Virginia Cotton, Bob and Jean Cannon and family, Hoss and Kathy Blakeley and family, Clay Francis, Craig and Jennifer Schweitzer, Richard and Stella Singleton, Marion and Debra Francis Tillery and the Class of ‘85.

Schweitzer who graduated from Perrin in 2005, said Juan Seguin Elementary was flooded and the 700 to 900 students will have to be split up among other schools in the area.

Schweitzer and his wife weathered the storm in their apartment in Stafford and suffered “a little water damage,” but much of the neighborhood did not fare as well.

“A tornado came through nearby and there are multiple roofs with tarps on them, trees down,” he said. “When I was driving today, if you could just see the devastation down here. Literally, there’s streets with nothing but just parts of the house. I was driving down one street today and every house had been gutted. It’s the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. We have kids that need help. We have families that need help.”

Schweitzer knew his hometown would be a good place to turn for assistance.

“Growing up in Perrin, everybody’s family,” he said. “I thought that was my best bet to reach out for help for the school or families. Small towns always come through.”

The classes are competing to see who will raise the most money. But unlike class competitions in the past, the only reward will be recognition.

“We’re doing this just to help people because it's the right thing to do,” Salazar said. “We feel like it’s equally important to education. We want these kids to grow up and be good people.

“I think it’s good for kids to help and it’s good to see all these Perrin graduates come together to do something for another school. It just shows them that Perrin pride is something that can last forever.”