EVERETT, Wash. -- They needed four trucks to take them all away. Saturday afternoon, Horizon Elementary in the Mukilteo School District was full of donations to help victims of the enormous fire in a nearby apartment complex.
Many of the 100 families displaced by the fire have children in the district, and staff decided to reach out on social media and help.
"When I heard about it, that was the first think I thought about," explained administrative assistant Kim Freeman, "I went down there right away to see what I could do.
"I needed to see if there was anything I could do, how our kids were and what they needed."
Games, toys, clothes and books filled the school. Staff brought them to a shelter setup at Bible Baptist Church through the Red Cross.
"When you know your kids, your students, your families are struggling the way they're struggling right now, it's hard to wish them a Happy New Year," said teacher Jen Caione, "I think going over there made me feel like we're doing what we can."
Horizon Elementary has 800 students, with 87% on a free-and-reduced lunch program.
