Chaney students pitch in to replace stolen money

November 29, 2007 at 7:49p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Chaney High School boys and girls basketball teams pooled their money to replace the $134 stolen from Andrea Elberty’s special education class.

“I was blown away,” Elberty said today. “I got $140. Two boys and one girl came in with the money. The card says ‘Sorry to hear about your cookie money that you and your class worked so hard for — Merry Christmas, keep the cookies coming.’”

The teacher explained that her multihandicapped students, four girls and two boys, sell cookies once a week to students and teachers to raise funds for field trips, such as lunch, roller skating and bowling.

The $134 had been intended for a Christmas trip to Southern Park Mall.

Thanks to the generosity of the basketball teams, the trip is back on. Elberty said the students will go to the mall, likely Dec. 14, get an ornament and have lunch.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.