Donations help PCES rebuild

In the days and weeks immediately after the EF5 tornado cut a path of destruction through the east end of Franklin County, the main priorities were to find shelter, food and basic amenities for those who had been displaced by the storms.

Food, water, clothing and many other supplies began to pour into the distribution center set up at Clark Pulley; donations started being made to the fund set up at the local banks through the Y.E.S. Foundation; and shelter and homes were found for those who didn’t have a home to call their own anymore.

Needs were met in an outstanding amount of time.

While those needs will still have to be met for some time to come, people are beginning to focus on other problems – other “needs” of a sort – that they are looking to address right now.

At a press conference on Friday, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow outlined his plan to raise money for Phil Campbell Elementary School, which didn’t suffer any major damage like their high school counterpart but suffered damage in an area important to elementary school children: the playground.

PCES Principal Jackie Ergle said one of the two swing sets had been damaged, a slide was damaged, other areas of the playground were damaged and an area recently dedicated to the memory of beloved school volunteer Kevin Swinney had been completely demolished.

“Our PTO has worked so hard to raise money for a new playground for the children, and they had just finished their last fundraiser before the tornado hit,” Ergle said. “They made the decision to return all the money to those who had purchased plants from them and they ended up losing about $3,500.”

Ergle said when she heard of Morrow’s plan to raise money for the playground, she said she couldn’t have thought of a better idea.

“Johnny Mack is always here when we need him; we don’t even have to call,” Ergle said.

Morrow brought along Mike Vest, director of the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, and Rosalyn Fabianke, Congressional District 4 representative of the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, who both promised their support in making the new playground at PCES a reality.

“No offense to the other teachers, but growing up, the P.E. teachers are the ones I remember,” Vest said with a laugh. “Playgrounds are huge to me and we will do all we can to help you guys.”

Fabianke pointed out that because of a bobcat’s certain characteristics, their mascot was an appropriate representation of Phil Campbell.

“Bobcats are solitary animals, which means they can sometimes stand alone,” Fabianke said. “You all have an inner strength to just keep on keeping on.

“Bobcats are also diverse and can adapt, and you have taken on any task and have been able to work through it. We offer you our heartfelt support, especially in rebuilding the playground.”

Phil Campbell High School Principal Cindy Davis has had her own set of problems since the high school is expected to be leveled and rebuilt due to the severe damage sustained during the tornado. But Davis said she also saw the need for these children, who would soon be attending her school, to have an appropriate place to play.

“It makes me sad that you have to come out here and see this destruction every day,” Davis told the assembly of elementary school children. “You shouldn’t have to see this. We’re going to get this back in order for you so you can start to get back to normal.”

Even though the playground was the hardest hit of the elementary school’s facilities, the school suffered losses far worse than property damage. The tornado took the life of beloved second-grade teacher, Patricia Gentry, and students Ethan Knox and Edgar Mojica.

“I’d like to see a playground built in memory of Mrs. Gentry, Ethan and Edgar,” Ergle said on Friday. “This way their memory will continue to live on and put a smile on our faces.”

A special fund for the playground has been set up at CB&S Bank at both the Phil Campbell and Russellville branches. Donations call also be sent directly to PCES at the attention of Jackie Ergle to P.O. Box 129, Phil Campbell, Ala. 35581.

Donations have already been made by elementary schools like Elvin Hill Elementary in Shelby County and Kilby School in Florence, both of which made sacrifices to donate money to Phil Campbell Elementary.

“Hopefully today will be the start of getting this playground rebuilt and getting things back to normal for these kids,” Morrow said.