ARLINGTON Kathy Hammond, office manager at the Masters Touch Christian School, was doubly surprised when students presented her with an oversized check for $2,271, Dec. 6, not only because theyd raised those funds in less than a month to help offset the expenses shes suffered from the Nov. 6 flood, but also because theyd done so without her finding out even though she handles finances for the school.
They did a good job of keeping it secret, Hammond said. Plus, they wrote all sorts of lovely things to me on the back on the check. We have the best kids here.
Hammonds house is located near the Stillaguamish River, but not in the flood zone since wed never had a flood in 50 years until last month, when she received a call from her husband to come home right now. Within an hour of returning to her home, Hammond saw floodwaters from 12 feet away reach her house and rise to a level of three feet inside.
Hammond emphasized that she and her husband were able to move most of our furniture out of their house and into the relative safety of a neighbors donated driveway, so we didnt lose any life treasures, but she acknowledged that it was a humbling experience.
Even though she asserted that so many people deserve this more than me, Hammond appreciates the fact that the students generosity will allow her and her husband to repair or even replace several flood-damaged appliances and fixtures, including walls and carpets.
These kids are caring, loving, sweet and real, Hammond said. Our school is like a big family, where we take care of each other. With the flood, I never felt like saying, Why me? But when they handed me that check at the assembly, I cried.
MTCS juniors Sarah Brown and Sharaya Burrows, both 17, were among the 17 students in the schools Life Skills class who organized the donation drive starting Nov. 17, after MTCS Principal Mark Brown suggested it to them, but they hastened to add that the contributions for Hammond came from all 60 students at the school.
Brown reported that family members, friends and churches served as the sources for most of the donations, while Burrows admitted that the students secret plans were nearly discovered by Hammond. Even though checks from contributors werent written to the school, to conceal them from Hammond, the students accidentally left the oversized check in a room that Hammond escorted a visitor through. The check was facing the wall and Hammond was preoccupied, but Burrows confessed it almost gave me a heart attack.
Brown praised Hammond as someone who does a lot for this school, so she felt an obligation to aid Hammond as a person who believes in God and helps our fellows in Christ. Burrows likewise observed that Hammond had taken a hands-on role in going out of her way to guide her through the student registration process, and added that Hammond always goes out of her way for everyone.
You can help others in need, even if you dont have much yourself, Brown said.