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“Thunder Pups” Say, Keep Up the Good Work!
Pensacola students gives support to FEMA.

Image of Mrs. Freeman’s sixth grade social studies class, they were responsible for implementing a letter-writing campaign to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan ORLANDO – Kids wanting to go back to school. Whoever heard of such a thing? If you were in Lynda Freeman’s class at Jim C. Bailey Middle School in Escambia County, Florida you’d know they have good reasons. Freeman’s sixth grade social studies class was involved in a letter-writing campaign to thank all the people who helped them during Hurricane Ivan. The letters were received with delight by FEMA at their disaster field office.

The class, also known as the “Thunder Pups” were happy to know that their letters were appreciated when FEMA’s Public Affairs staff spoke with them in a phone interview. Here is what the six graders shared with us.

 

Participating Teachers: Lynda Freeman
Participating Students: Matthew, Courtney, Jordyn, Taylor, Chelsea

Image of a letter-writing campaign created by a sixth grade social studies class to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan Image of a letter-writing campaign created by a sixth grade social studies class to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan Image of a letter-writing campaign created by a sixth grade social studies class to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan Image of a letter-writing campaign created by a sixth grade social studies class to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan Image of a letter-writing campaign created by a sixth grade social studies class to thank all the people who helped during Hurricane Ivan
Please click on image to view large size and read letters.

1. What prompted the children to write to FEMA employees?
The “Thunder Pups” unanimously picked FEMA as the recipient of their letters of gratitude. The class remarked how they knew who was really there to help them by the blue shirts that read FEMA.

Lindon wrote: “Thank you for helping everybody, for cutting down trees and helping our houses. I really appreciate what you have done for everyone.

Jordan wrote: “It really helped, what you were doing to help us.”

Josh wrote: “You helped a lot of people. You helped them continue with their life. P.S. Keep up the good work you are the best.”

2. Do the children use the “FEMA for Kids” website?
“Yes, we found it by looking at some fliers that were distributed, and I plan to use the site for future class projects,” said Freeman.

3. How did FEMA’s efforts impact the children’s families from the their perspective?
Social Studies teacher Lynda Freeman said she was surprised by the overwhelming response to her question of who provided assistance to the students families and they all said FEMA.

Pocholo wrote: “Thanks for everything! Thank you for helping my family in our time of need.”

Lakeeva wrote: “Thank you for the hot meals and MRE’s. I speak for myself and the rest of the disaster victims when I say we are very, very appreciative.”

4. Were there any unusual stories or sightings by the kids?
“The storm brought neighbors closer together in a way that unfortunately has been unusual for the times. It was great for the kids to see adults coming together and really helping each other,” Freeman said.

Jordan wrote: “A lot of people lost their homes. Many tried to fight it, but some didn’t make it. So it really helped to know that you were there to help us.”

Joshua wrote: “ Thanks for the help!

5. How did the kids help during the hurricane recovery efforts?
“We talked about that in class a lot. I was proud to see many of my students helping. They were mostly picking up debris to help their neighbors and churches,” said Freeman.

6. What are they doing/learning to prepare their community in the light of another community emergency?
“They are learning civic responsibility. You should have seen their faces when I told them that I have FEMA on the phone responding to the letters that they wrote a couple of weeks ago. We will use the “FEMA for Kids” website to help us learn and plan projects for the future.”

Caleb wrote: “Dear FEMA thanks for all of the money you gave us for the damage ‘Ivan’ did. I also wanted to thank you for all of the money you gave to other people who lost their house like mine.”

Gene wrote: “Thank you helpers and now I can go to school.”

7. Who could we possibly see working for FEMA in the future?
The “Thunder Pup Team” from Jim C. Bailey Middle School in Pensacola, Florida.

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