"We are Chapman!" became the rallying cry at afternoon meetings where Chapman City Attorney Doug Thompson shared the latest information with victims of the June 11th tornado.

The storm destroyed or damaged half the homes in the town of 1,260, leaving behind $70 million in losses. Churches, schools and businesses sustained heavy damage. One young woman lost her life.

The rallying cry fits the gritty determination that has taken hold in Chapman. Minds are set on rebuilding, and school officials are promising students they will be able to return to schools in their home-town, and not be scattered to area districts.

None of these goals will be easy to reach. And it will take money. Lots of it.

That's where the rest of us come in. Perhaps we can use the same rallying cry to raise money for Chapman and its schools.

Jamie Stroda, a Journal marketing consultant and a graduate of Chapman High School, came up with the idea to sell "We are Chapman!" T-shirts from Aksent, her gift store in Abilene. The shirts feature the school's mascot, the Fighting Irish. The Journal will join that effort with advertising and other support.

Western Associates is providing the imprinted shirts at cost. The Journal will sell them online at salina.com, and they can be purchased for $10 at the Journal, 333 S. Fourth and locations listed above. Purchasers can direct their donation to Chapman schools or the Chapman relief fund.

This is an easy way to lend a hand. It sends money to our neighbors, shows our support for their rebuilding and helps Chapman students by providing books and supplies.

There's a saying that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Let's take that a step further, and all wear the green for Chapman's sake.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

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