By Darius Davila | Staff Writer
The hot, dry Texas summer exceeded a state of mere discomfort as fires spread throughout the state. One of these horrific blazes began in Bastrop,Texas.
“Seventeen hundred homes burned down during the Bastrop fire. This includes homes of teachers and students from Bastrop High School,” assistant principal Elaine Maize said.
The Bastrop fire occurred on September 8th, destroying the homes of both teachers and students.
“I think the Bastrop fire was a terrible event, and I think our school is doing an amazing job in trying to help,” librarian Terri Sanchez said.
Because of this unfortunate event, schools from all over the state are coming together to help Bastrop county and those who have lost their homes.
“Student council has been collecting Walmart and Target gift cards to help raise money for the damage that the Bastrop fire has caused”, assistant principal Steve Zimmerman said, “It has been fairly successful. We have had other organizations involved with our charity to help out the teachers and students of Bastrop.”
Johnson has taken the initiative to ask for the help of not only students, but parents as well.
“Parents, families and students have donated to our charity,” Student Council sponsor Lisa Mittler said. “It has been a Texas-wide initiative from student council, so schools from all over have been participating. Mr. Mehlbrech sent an email to students’ parents to advertise for our Bastrop charity, as well as creating a simulcast announcement about it.”
The Bastrop charity has been successful in the effort to aid those who lost their homes in the fire.
“I’d say this charity has been very successful. We have raised over six thousand dollars,” Mittler said, “The money is going to the residents of Bastrop High School that have lost their homes.”
However, donating to this charity isn’t restricted to just gift cards and money.
“To continue to help out Bastrop teachers and students, we can donate money and materials. Everything helps,” Spanish teacher Jodi Ingersol said. “Put yourself in the shoes of the people who have lost everything. We should clear out our clutter and give what we don’t need to them. What we don’t use, we should share by giving to those who lost [possessions] in the fire.”
