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

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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