York and Lancaster high school students have raised more than $5,000 for a Texas school damaged by Hurricane Harvey floods.
Most of the athletic equipment and facilities at Hardin-Jefferson ISD High School in Sour Lake, near Houston, was damaged during the storm, so York and Lancaster stepped up to help, said York Athletic Director Joey Moore.
“Pretty much all of their athletic equipment was destroyed or ruined by floodwater,” Moore said. “As an athletic director, I’d hate to think I’d have to start from scratch. It would be a tough situation.”
Cougar Athletics collected financial donations in October to help the Houston student-athletes restore their athletic facilities and equipment. Collections were taken during Friday night football games and at York Comprehensive High School.
York students also collected funds during lunch periods and at two volleyball games, Moore said. The district office held a pay-to-wear-jeans day and a raffle.
Lancaster High school also collected funds during home games.
“It was truly a group effort,” Moore said. “I’m happy our kids and our community got behind it.”
All donations will go to the Hardin-Jefferson High School Athletic Department.
Late Monday, Jared Sloan of Hardin-Jefferson ISD High School said in an email to The Herald: "We greatly appreciate the support that the school districts in South Carolina put together to aid in our recovery efforts. Words really can’t express our gratitude or appreciation. Hopefully some day we can thank Coach Moore and all the other great people who helped in person. We will definitely do our best to pay this act of kindness forward."
Moore said the S.C. High School League put out a list of high schools in Texas and Florida affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. He randomly chose Hardin-Jefferson to help.
“I felt like the need was there and we could help somebody,” Moore said.
Amanda Harris: 803-329-4082