School raises money for burned students

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A full house of students and parents supported the Wainwright Middle School talent show with cheers and dollars.

All the proceeds from the performance will go to 14-year-old Cody Garrett and 15-year-old Leighton Fruits to help with their recovery.

"It was packed," said parent Max Delong. "I was surprised how packed it was because I didn't hear about it until the last minute."

"I thought it was awesome," said Jodi Tyrie. "I actually paid extra."

The money raised from the annual talent show normally goes to charity. Principal Neal McCutcheon said this year the decision on who to send the dollars to was simple.

"We felt this was going to be best to give it to the two students," explained McCutcheon.

Students put the emotion of the last few days into song as they rallied together to help the two families heal.

"They are all together and they all support each other," said parent Deanna Padgett.

"When it's things like that, I don't think it bothers people to give a little extra," said Tyrie.

Give more is what everyone did. More feeling, more songs and more money. The show raised $1028, but more ways to help are being planned.

"We have a lot of different fundraisers that are evolving to just help the families out," said McCutcheon.

There is still plenty more to be done to help the two students recover. The school is looking at several ways to use the money to help the families. The options include gas cards, restaurant gift certificates and gift baskets for the boys to keep them busy as they heal.