>> RELATED: 13 tornadoes now confirmed to have touched down Memorial Day
Prep Academy students, their families and faculty spent the evening laughing, playing games and grilling.
“We were all sitting at home like what can we do? We didn’t know if our students were okay, we didn’t know anything,” said Lauren Grimes, a teacher at the school. “The idea came up for a cookout and we rallied around the idea.”
The teachers took to social media to spread the word and donations started pouring in. They collected $3,000 for the cookout and made take home bags with supplies for the kids.
“To see something like this, everyone coming together on the same page, we are all struggling and we all need help.”
>> RELATED: Trotwood tornado damage: 59 homes destroyed
The staff also took the extra food to nearby neighborhoods who were damaged by a tornado.
“It’s a breath of fresh air for a mom,” said Brandy Murphy, who brought her three children. “This school is like a family. We hold hands and love one another, if somebody needs something they’re there no matter what.”
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