VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Students at Dixie Bee Elementary School in southern Vigo County donated more than $1,500 to tornado victims in Sullivan Thursday.

The funds will go to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s new ‘Help Sullivan Recover’ fund. That means, all of the money raised will stay in the area, to assist families directly impacted by the recent EF-3 tornado.

Kindergartener Arnav Jameria says he donated everything he had in his piggy bank (about $200). “I was going to save it until I was an adult or donate it to help people so they can get their homes back and things,” he explained.

Harmoney Walsh is with the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. She’s also a Sullivan native. “It’s inspiring,” she says. “These kids are our future and our future is bright. I just want to say thank you, as well, to the staff, teachers and principals of this school, and the parents, for supporting this kindness. My hometown is healing right now, and this money will aid in a portion of that healing.”

The students at Dixie Bee aren’t finished yet. They are currently hosting a poster design contest to raise even more for local tornado victims.

Other VCSC schools have also led efforts to donate.

• Farrington Grove staff supported a family that lost everything.  
• Riley student council directed $1,000.00 of the funds they have raised to Sullivan. (this will also be sent via the Community Foundation)
• Fayette 5th grade is selling Water Bottles/Flavor Packets for Sullivan AND Student Council is sponsoring a Hat Day for collection of funds to send to Sullivan.

• Wilson MS – The 7th and 8th grade girls track team stayed after practice to help assemble 58 Easter baskets and some donated candy.
• Ouabache Student Leaders are having a gum day, hat day, and pj day this week to raise money for Sullivan.  
• Terre Haute North Student Council worked with Terre Haute South Student Council and ROTC last week to raise donations for Sullivan.  On Thursday at North, they held a Sullivan Strong Day.  Students and Staff wore purple and gold and donated money and items for the relief.  We filled up our white bus with donations and took them to South to add to their donations.  We also raised $300 on Thursday which will go to Sullivan High School for the Angel Fund to help students in need due to the Tornado.

• Hoosier Prairie is taking donations for Sullivan and delivering at the end of the week.
• Honey Creek created “goodie” bags for all Sullivan Middle Schools students, along with notes of encouragement.