Return to Headlines
Posted on: 2/20/25
After a successful fundraiser at the beginning of the school year, Huntersville Elementary School Principal Emily Zelando met with her school’s PTA president, Amber Ryan, to discuss how they could use the funds raised. At the same time, Hurricane Helene hit, devastating schools in the western region of North Carolina.
“We raised $100K, and the funds were for a new playground area for our students,” said Zelando. “But we really wanted to help Western Carolina.”
Zelando said that Ryan reached out to Buncombe County Schools and asked about partnering with a school in need. Ryan was then connected with the principal at North Buncombe Elementary School as they were one of the schools that was hit the hardest.
To get students involved, Zelando asked the school’s Kind Kids Club to create kindness boxes. Students wrote notes of hope and encouragement and filled the decorated boxes with sweet treats. Staff also donated gift cards to staff at North Buncombe Elementary.
A portion of the money from Huntersville Elementary’s fundraiser was also sent to the school. North Buncombe Elementary used the money to honor two of their students who lost their lives due to the storm. Both boys loved to perform, and the money was used to purchase additional chairs so that families would have a place to sit to enjoy performances and award ceremonies.
“I can’t begin to share how appreciative we are of this donation,” Heidi Allison, North Buncombe Elementary principal, shared with Zelando. “While chairs may not seem like the normal memorial, our programs and award days are at the heart of our school — just like the Wisely boys. We will also have a memorial bench we will dedicate in March — six months after the boys’ passing. These memory items will help us heal. We will never be whole, but the pain can lessen as we remember fond memories of these angels.”
Zelando said Huntersville Elementary’s school community was very grateful to show their support, and hopes that North Buncombe Elementary feels a little less alone as their school community heals.
“We wanted them to feel the power of kindness, to know that someone cares, that they matter and that brighter days are ahead,” said Zelando. “I always like to think that kindness is like a domino effect. One small act can set off a chain reaction, touching hearts, changing lives and creating ripples of goodness far beyond what we can see. We all need that in our lives.”
