Disney and ABC13 surprise tornado-damaged Alvin school with $50,000 gift
ALVIN, Texas (KTRK) -- Nine days after a tornado devastated the community of Alvin, there were warm smiles and a glimmer of hope.
For the first time since an EF-2 tornado severely damaged their school, Walt Disney Elementary students arrived at the old Alvin Elementary campus Tuesday not quite knowing what to expect.
Cheers erupted as Disney and Eyewitness News volunteers welcomed students to their new school, handing Mickey Mouse plush toys to children as they entered.
With Houston Texans cheerleaders and mascot Toro joining in the celebration, it was a pep rally fitting for this resilient community of Wildcats.
Tuesday morning, Disney and ABC13 Houston announced it was gifting $50,000 to the school through DonorsChoose, which will allow its teachers to restore lost supplies, set up new classrooms, and help impacted students and families.
Learn more about the Walt Disney Elementary School Recovery Fund
The school will also receive $25,000 worth of books and educational resources as part of Disney's partnership with First Book Marketplace.
Generous gifts capping off a busy week that saw so many pitching in to get teachers ready for the spring semester.
Assistant principal Laura Chaffin recalled the herculean effort it took to get the former Alvin Elementary School site ready in time for Tuesday.
When ABC13 visited the campus last Thursday, construction crews were seen pouring concrete driveways, while IT crews wired classrooms and offices for internet.
"I talked to a third grader once this past week, and he said, 'Do I have the same class?'" Chaffin said. "And I said, 'You have the same teacher, same students, same schedule, it's just a different room,' and then he felt good about that."
WATCH: Eyewitness News weather team surprises Walt Disney Elementary
ABC13 chief meteorologist Travis Herzog was among the volunteers from Disney who showed up last week to support an emergency school supply drive.
"They told me their entire supply closet had been destroyed by the tornado, as well as many classrooms," Herzog said. "It's just great that our company is standing behind Walt Disney (Elementary), and helping them get back on their feet."
Herzog said it was his own childhood experiences with a tornado that led him to a weather career.
"I know that can be a scary experience when you've gone through something like this, in a new environment halfway through the school year," Herzog said. "We just wanted to come out and put some extra smiles on faces after that long break."
And there were smiles, hugs, high fives and even a few tears.
"Channel 13 and Disney has done so much for us, so thank you, thank you, and just so supportive along the way," Alvin ISD superintendent Carol Nelson said. "We are very excited today."
Returning to class is just the first step toward recovery for the Alvin community, but you can help ensure these teachers have the resources they need without reaching into their own pockets, as they so often do.
Between now and June 30, you can make a donation to the Walt Disney Elementary Relief Fund. Your gifts will help support requests from impacted teachers as they work to rebuild their school.
Walt Disney Elementary opened in Alvin in 1979. The public school is named in honor of Disney's founder.
Disney is the parent company of ABC13 Houston.
PHOTOS: ABC13 and Disney surprise Walt Disney Elementary students
