Teen Reaches Out To Help Mounds Students

Students in Mounds will return to classes on Tuesday. Classes there have been cancelled for a week after a fire destroyed the Mounds Elementary School. Everything was lost including textbooks, desks,

Friday, October 26th 2007, 5:30 pm

By: News On 6

Students in Mounds will return to classes on Tuesday. Classes there have been cancelled for a week after a fire destroyed the Mounds Elementary School. Everything was lost including textbooks, desks, and school supplies. An Okmulgee County teen is working to make a difference. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports he has a lot of drive, determination, and a can-do spirit.

Okmulgee Schools let out part of the day on Friday, so students can attend basketball games. But, instead of going to the game, Tre McPherson sat outside the Okmulgee Wal-Mart. Tre is collecting school supplies and money to help kids in nearby Mounds.

"They really need the supplies, because the whole school burned down, so they have nothing,â€ said Tre McPherson.

A week ago, the elementary school in Mounds burned to the ground. Everything inside was lost. Tre decided to do something about it.

"I just felt like they needed help. And they needed to get back in school," said Tre McPherson.

Along with friend Nicole and little brother Blake at the other Wal-Mart door, he's collecting supplies and cash.

"So many times you see kids not doing the right thing, it makes me feel good that he is,â€ said Treâ€™s mom, Tammy McPherson.

The supplies will be used for kids. The cash will buy gift cards for teachers so they can get supplies they need.

"That way they can get their grade books and things like that back,â€ said 13-year-old Tre McPherson.

Tre's effort to help students and teachers in Mounds isn't just limited to Wal-Mart. He has 60 collection boxes set up at businesses all across the entire county where people can drop off donations.

"When he has an idea, he wants to go for it and he'll succeed,â€ said Treâ€™s mom, Tammy McPherson.

Tre says he doesn't think he's doing anything special. And that everyone, no matter their age, can make a difference. In two weeks, the 8th grader plans to use a box truck to deliver a full load of supplies to Mounds, along with a ton of kindness.

Tulsa Public School employees will also be gathering supplies next week for the Mounds school district. Tulsa Public School's Selman Room at the Education Service Center at 3027 South New Haven Avenue will be open Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, as a drop off point for those who would like to donate school supplies.

Watch the video: Teen Reaches Out To Help Mounds Students

Related Stories:

10/20/2007 Elementary School Gutted By Fire

10/21/2007 Classes Cancelled In Fire Damaged School District

10/22/2007 Community Reaches Out To Help Mounds School Devastated By Fire

10/23/2007 Fire Damaged School Cancels Classes For Rest Of The Week

10/24/2007 Donations Pour In As Investigators Find The Cause Of School Fire