Hillside Elementary Collecting Donations For Families Displaced By Ashland Fire

Students, teachers and staff of are asking the community for help in collecting donations for two families displaced by a fire that hit their homes earlier this week.

at the four-unit residence in the 15900 block of Marcella Street, located across the street from the school.

Two of the four families have children who attend Hillside Elementary. Out of the three children, one has already returned to school according to Hillside Elementary's office manager Cynthia Flemister.

One family consists of a single mother, her 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. The other is a family of five: a mother, daugthers ages 4 and 12 and sons ages 1, 6 and 8.

After speaking with both families, Flemister said they are still in shock over what happened and are currently staying with relatives. One mother told Flemister that the owner of the building said the families probably can move back into their homes in about 60 days.

The school sent out a call for donations to all school sites in the on Tuesday. Flemister said the community has already shown plenty of support.

"By after school [on Tuesday], I already recevied six giftcards worth $50 each," she said.

Students at Hillside are already taking action on helping the families get back on their feet. After selling Valentine grams this past week to raise money for cancer patients, students decided yesterday to donate the money to the displaced families instead.

"This is just one more way that our students are showing that they are part of a caring school community," said Hillside Elementary Principal Pam VandeKamp.

Hillside Elementary reserved a room on campus to fill with the donations, ranging from household items and clothes, to toys for the children.

The school also plans on setting up a donation drive for the families at the PTA Founder's Day Dinner this coming March.

"We want to help the families both long term and short term," said Flemister.

For those interested in making a donation, contact Cynthia Flemister at 510-317-5311 or e-mail her at cflemister@slzusd.org. Donations can be brought to Hillside Elementary School located at 15980 Marcella St. in San Leandro.