MOUNT VERNON — Annie Pursel hit the record button, grabbed a couple of markers, a white board and an eraser.
Her message was simple: let’s raise money for hurricane relief.
The goal was for Columbia Elementary students and parents to raise $600. They responded in a big way, raising more than $1,400.
Money was collected from mid-October to mid-November by the school’s parent-teacher organization, Columbia Elementary principal Andrew Thompson said.
(Below is a video Pursel produced about the district’s hurricane relief efforts.)
After hearing about the damage caused by Hurricane Milton in Florida, Pursel wanted to aid the victims. She had a personal investment with a family connection to the hurricane’s destruction.
“One of my mom’s friends was in the path of the hurricane,” Pursel said.
The money is collected by Send Relief, a global compassion ministry, according to its website.
Pursel heard about the mission group through her church, Lifepoint Church.
Columbia Elementary has a student council made up of second- through fifth-grade students. Throughout the school year, the student council creates service learning projects for students to participate in — like fundraisers.
“Always try to make it a goal to help our community,” student council advisor Lori Luna said.
Student council has done other projects throughout the years, like collecting food and treats for the Knox County Dog Shelter, and collecting clothes for Winter Sanctuary homeless shelter.
“This was something that our advisor Lori Luna and our students wanted to do service projects,” Thompson said. “She (Pursel) made a video all on her own at home and she presented it to our student council about, helping hurricane victims.
“She has a big heart.”
Editor’s Note: Annie’s last name is spelled Pursel. A previous version had it incorrectly spelled.