x
Breaking News
More () »

'Imelda Educators Relief Fund' helps restock classrooms affected by Imelda floodwaters

More than $8,200 was raised by credit union members, their partners and the community to help replace basic supplies in classrooms flooded by Imelda.

Representatives from Education First Federal Credit Union delivered supplies for teachers affected by Tropical Storm Imelda in Mauriceville on Wednesday morning.

The Imelda Educators Relief Fund was created as a partnership between the credit union and 12News and The Beaumont Enterprise to assist teachers in Southeast Texas following Tropical Storm Imelda according to a release from Education First Federal Credit Union.

More than $8,200 was raised by credit union members, their partners and the community to help replace basic supplies in classrooms flooded by Imelda the release said.

Supplies will be delivered to teachers in the Hamshire-Fannett ISD on Friday and Beaumont ISD teachers next.

From an Education First Credit Union news release…

After Tropical Storm Imelda hit Southeast Texas, Education First Federal Credit Union (EFFCU) partnered with 12News and The Beaumont Enterprise to create the Imelda Educators Relief Fund to assist teachers whose classrooms were impacted by the storm.

The fund, which received donations of over $8,200, thanks to the support of EFFCU members, partners and the community, raised money to help replace basic classroom supplies for teachers whose classrooms were flooded as a result of the storm. Over 70 teachers from Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Hamshire-Fannett, Beaumont United, Monsignor Kelly and Fehl-Price requested assistance.

Today Carolyn Ridout, VP of Marketing, and Kevin Conn, President & CEO Elect, delivered supplies to Mauriceville Elementary School and Mauriceville Middle School. “It is such a good feeling to give back to the community, and to do it in a way that honors our founders is especially meaningful to us,” said Ridout.

Carie Broussard, Principal, Mauriceville Elementary, and Kim Cox, Principal, Mauriceville Middle School, along with several teachers were on-site to express their appreciation and assist with distribution. LCM- CISD Community Relations Coordinator, Sherry Combs, was among them.

“The teachers at Mauriceville Elementary and Middle School have really had challenges the last couple of years. In Harvey they lost everything in their classrooms and had to begin replacing the “tools of the trade.” Then, not even a year after getting back into their building, they are flooded from Imelda. Knowing that there are organizations, like Education First, who not only recognize their needs, but take action to provide the supplies, has been an enormous blessing and great help. The generosity of Education First is a giant step in helping our students and staff get back on the road to normalcy. For that, the LCM District is most grateful.” said Combs.

Education First will continue delivering supplies, visiting Hamshire-Fannett ISD on Friday, with BISD to follow.

As a credit union founded by teachers over 67 years ago, Education First remains committed to supporting education in the local community through a variety of ways. From the We're Paying It Forward program, which has donated over $150,000 to local schools since 2014, to the $37,000 awarded in college scholarships to local high school seniors each year and the academic scholarships it funds at Lamar University.

RELATED: Renters may qualify for federal disaster assistance following Imelda

RELATED: FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opening near downtown Beaumont

RELATED: What to expect during FEMA inspections

Before You Leave, Check This Out