A crumbling Detroit elementary school is getting help from some
famous friends, including Ellen DeGeneres and Justin Bieber.After
hearing about low-income students at Spain Elementary School who are
enduring a damaged roof, a torn-up gym and classrooms with no heat, DeGeneres
came to the rescue.
The
talk show host has announced that the Lowe's chain of home-improvement stores
will donate $500,000 to repairing the school, including $50,000 in new
computers and a $100 Visa gift card to every teacher and staff member.
"I
wanted to surprise you," DeGeneres told the school's community in a video
posted online Wednesday. "I love your school, I love what you stand
for."In
addition, DeGeneres recruited pop singer Justin Bieber, who made a surprise
appearance in the video to pledge he will donate a dollar of every ticket sold
for his suburban Detroit concert on April 25.
DeGeneres
also leveraged the power of her audience by creating a Corundum page where people can donate money to the
school. As of Friday afternoon it had attracted more than $50,000 in
donations.
This
aid comes after recent media coverage exposed dangerous conditions at Spain
Elementary and its teachers staged that closed the school for two days.'We are failing
them': Detroit teachers demand fix to 'hazardous' school
Teachers
and staff members have complained to Detroit's public school system, saying the
conditions are threatening the students' health and future. Teachers say they
have seen roaches and mice crawling on the floors. The school's playground and
gym are unusable, so students bounce balls in the halls.
The
school nurse, India Brimberry, said she has noticed a pattern of students
suffering from nose bleeds, vomiting and stomach aches due to changes in
temperature and other conditions.
Many
of the teachers, including Ellen Morgan, say they have remained at the school
despite it all because of their love for the students."We
do what we need to do," Morgan said in response to a question by
DeGeneres. "We don't complain. We do it because we love our babies."
With
the help of DeGeneres, Lowe's and Bieber, Spain Elementary now has a chance to
rebuild and become a proper environment for its students.Even
before anything was donated, Principal Ronald Alexander expressed his love for
DeGeneres."Of
all the people in the whole world, I am the happiest principal on earth,"
he told the TV host. "I love you. We love you. I love you, again."
story highlights
- Ellen DeGeneres helps raise donations to crumbling Detroit school
- Lowe's chain donates $500,000 in repairs and upgrades to Spain Elementary
- Justin Bieber pledges to donate profits from his Detroit concert to the school
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