VALLEY CENTER, Kan. (KSNW)—Recovery efforts continue in Florida after hurricanes Helene and Milton left the state reeling. Kansas high school students are collaborating with McConnell Air Force Base Route 5/6, a non-profit with the base, to send donations to Florida.
It was a day to support those who have lost a lot from the hurricanes, with a long road to recovery and rebuilding. This effort involves the base and 13 local schools in Derby, Mulvane, Valley Center and Goddard.
Students are raising funds and then buying necessary supplies such as pillows, diapers, water and toilet paper. KSN spoke to two students who gathered the donations at Valley Center High School, with $600 raised from a bake sale. They say this is more than just collecting supplies; it’s about giving some relief, some help.
“It really feels like amazing seeing what God can do for, like, the students in our school, and just knowing that we can make a difference to some families and really bring them things that they need and just help them out,” said Sallie Longwell, Junior at Valley Center High School.
“It gives us a sense of community, and we’re able to really just interact with one another for a common goal. I just thought it was really powerful how we’re all able to work together towards that,” said Kayden Lankford, a junior at Valley Center High School.
KSN also spoke with a staff sergeant who says that his hope is to bring relief and a little bit of joy to those who are hurting from the hurricane’s impact in Florida.
“The next generation of people in the military and the next generation of, you know, civilians within our great country. It’s great to see everyone kind of come together, whether you’re different or not; people are people, and we are just willing to make a change,” said Staff Sergeant Trey Dumas, McConnell Air Force Base Route 5/6.
The donations will be headed to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. The base will keep KSN posted when these donations travel.
This donation drive is over, but the base says FEMA is still taking donations and seeking volunteers to help with recovery and relief. You can click here for more information.
For those who are interested in helping hurricane victims, KSN’s parent company, Nexstar, has partnered with the American Red Cross to collect donations.
