By TIM UNRUH
Salina Journal
One look at the devastation in Chapman changed Bailey Eidson's plan for an early birthday and back-to-school party Friday in Salina.
"The roofs were collapsed. Brick walls and stones fell over and were destroyed. It was terrible," the 8-year-old said in describing what she saw two weeks ago, during an outing with grandparents.
The damage was still evident nearly two months since an EF3 tornado ripped through town June 11, killing one person and injuring several others.
"I decided to pitch in and help out," Bailey said.
To celebrate the start of the school year and Bailey's ninth birthday, which isn't until Sept. 13, she and her family had planned a gathering at the Carver Center, 315 N. Second.
But instead of her guests bringing birthday gifts, Bailey asked members of the three third-grade classes at Stewart Elementary School, and her teammates on the Shannon's Stars Twirling Club, to bring school supplies for Chapman.
The 40 in attendance, more than 30 of them children, responded.
"It was a bigger turnout than I thought we would have," said Bailey's mom, April Lambeth, Salina.
After the party with music from a DJ, dancing, games, cotton candy, snow cones and other snacks, Bailey and her family carted away three boxes full of pencils, notebooks, office supplies, note pads, book bags, glue, crayons and much more.
"You name it on the school supply list and we have a least one," Lambeth said.
She will deliver them today to Chapman, the first day of school for the district.
After a celebration assembly at 9:45 a.m. in District Gym, most Chapman students will disperse into 24 modular classrooms, thanks to the tornado that did an estimated $35 million in damage to district buildings, Superintendent Tony Frieze said.
Bailey was reluctant to join her mother in the delivery, saying she didn't want to miss any school. Instead, she and her guests all signed a poster for Chapman.
But Sunday, Lambeth was still negotiating with her daughter to join her today.
"She wanted to do it. I think she needs to finish it," Lambeth said. "After she drove through Chapman, she said 'I don't want kids to bring me presents. I want to help the schools.' "
Bailey's idea wasn't unique. Seven fifth-grade girls from McLouth, northwest of Kansas City, had the same idea for a birthday party shortly after the tornado, Frieze said. The Friday party is part of a growing list of generous deeds that have helped Chapman from all over Kansas and the nation.
"Anytime something like this happens, it's just great," Frieze said. "That really tells us everybody really cares about us."
Donations of money, supplies, labor, equipment, company stock and encouragement have poured into Chapman and the school district since June 11, Frieze said.
By the time the district receives a check at this morning's assembly, the money total will eclipse $275,000 just for the school, he said.
"I'm really not surprised," Frieze said. "We have one of the strongest alumni associations in the United States. People in Kansas and the nation are really giving."
The Internet helped show the devastation to people over a huge area, he said, some with ties to Chapman and Kansas, and others who were affected by the stories and pictures.
"They gave what they could. In addition to donations, there were acts of kindness from volunteers and from school districts across Kansas," Frieze said.
Stories have been too numerous to recall all of them. Here are just a few:
n A man from Texas called Frieze at home one night. A relative of his had taught at Chapman during the early part of the 20th century.
"He gave some company stock to our district," Frieze said.
n A Chapman graduate from Bartlesville, Okla., sent some of his Phillips Petroleum stock to the Chapman district.
n Another alumnus wrote a check for $25,000 and donated a piece of property next to the school so students in construction technology could build a house this school year. It will be sold next June.
n Wednesday through Friday last week, Salina Superintendent Rob Winter sent up to a dozen custodial staff each day to help Chapman prepare for today's start of school.
"They did an outstanding, tremendous job," Frieze said. "We've had teachers from neighboring districts, east, west, north and south, who have come to help out; family members, the board of education. We could go on and on."
n Three young Chapman girls have made $600 so far selling lemonade at various events since the tornado. Their goal is $1,000 for Chapman schools.
They include Frieze's granddaughter, first-grader Emma Frieze, daughter of Todd and Susan Frieze, Chapman; Peyton Suther, first-grade daughter of high school principal Kevin Suther and kindergarten teacher Conni Suther; and second-grader Madeline Elliott, daughter of Michelle Elliott, a Chapman Middle School teacher, and Travis Elliott.
n Chapman High School graduate Aaron Andres, a sophomore at Pittsburg State University, donated $7,000 to the school district that he made selling videos of the Chapman tornado damage.
n "We Are Chapman" T-shirts, a project headed by Marc Riegel, middle school band instructor, has generated thousands of dollars for the schools, Frieze said.
n Students from 11 Kansas high school FFA chapters, who were at summer camp at the Rock Springs complex south of Junction City, spent a day combing the Chapman High School football field on their hands and knees looking for debris.
They didn't find any, Frieze said, but it was appreciated.
n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.
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