We felt personally compelled’: Students raise money for CRSM teacher after home fire
When CRSM teacher Chris Call and his family were suddenly uprooted from their home following a fire last week over Spring Break, juniors Eileen R., Ashley F. and Noe L. immediately teamed up to raise awareness and bring hope to their cherished teacher.
Call has been a biology, anatomy, physiology, and environmental sciences teacher at CRSM for seven years. “Mr. Call is more than a teacher to us, he is a friend, part of our family,” said Eileen. “We felt compelled to help him after all he has done for us.”
The students turned to social media and set up a GoFundMe page to help their science teacher and his family immediately after they heard about the fire. By Tuesday night, they had raised $4,297, four times their goal of $1,000. The sums tallied fast — in amounts of $10, $15, $25 and $100s — from students, alumni, and teachers. Within five hours of posting, the students raised $1,000 and the sums, big and small kept coming. The students have since taken down the page.
“These are students who immediately gave from their hearts all they had to give,” said Marlene Eby, assistant principal.
With Katie, the family’s yellow Lab mix at his side, Call thanked the students at the assembly Friday.
“I am so very grateful to the CRSM students, staff, alumni and community for this incredibly thoughtful and generous gift,” said Call explaining that Katie almost died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning during the fire. “As a teacher at CRSM I have taught and nourished the value of being a person for others, but it never occurred to me that I might be one of those others. Now Eileen, Ashley and Noe have taught me the importance of that lesson and the impact it can have on those in need.”
“The funds they raised will go toward Katie’s veterinary expenses, and we are hopeful that she will make a complete recovery. On behalf of her and the rest of my family I thank you all for the caring you have shown. I feel truly blessed”.