Sandy-Impacted School Thanks Malibu Students for Donation Via Skpe

Through a coordinated Skype session, students at Webster Elementary School in Malibu saw firsthand how their peers in New York have weathered Superstorm Sandy.

Conversely, Seaford Harbor School students had the opportunity to show their gratitude to their west coast supporters for shipping donations to help them recover from the storm.

Seaford Harbor School students expressed a boisterous “thank you” to students from Webster after they received a donation of $600 and three $25 gift cards for their school, as well as dozens of goody-filled packages for students.

Each of the 108 students impacted by the storm received a large envelope containing two books, a $25 Target gift card, two custom-designed bookmarks and several letters from Webster students. The effort, according to Webster Elementary School Principal Philip Cott, was a meaningful one for students and families who collectively worked on preparing the envelopes and shipping them to the Seaford Harbor School.

“Our main goal was to let you know that we understand what you have endured and to offer our support as you recover,” Cott wrote in a letter to the Seaford Harbor School. 

Cott went on to explain the devastating fires that caused Webster families to lose their homes shut down Webster Elementary School for a week for cleanup.

During the Skype session, Webster students were curious to know where their Seaford friends are living. Some said they are residing in trailers or the upstairs of their homes because the downstairs have been rendered uninhabitable. The discussion shifted to what each class was studying in school, and then to a lighter topic: celebrities and paparazzi. Harbor students listened with wide-eyed fascination, then gasped and giggled as their California peers said they’ve seen the likes of Adam Sandler, Britney Spears and Justin Beiber.

“The collaboration was very successful,” said Seaford Harbor School Principal Donna DeLucia-Troisi. “Not only did our students appreciate the heartfelt gifts they received, they had the opportunity to thank their California friends personally, learn a little about each other and share some moments of laughter. It was an ideal way to brighten up our students’ outlook as they, along with their families, recover from the impact of the storm.”