NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two weeks after a deadly shooting, a local educator and pastor are making sure both students and staff know they are supported.
Days after the shooting that killed one student and traumatized hundreds of others, volunteers from social media groups and Hamilton Church came together to create nearly 500 care packages for staff members at Antioch High School.
“One of the staff members told me, ‘You gave me a reason to smile today,’ on that Monday,” LaBria Appleton, an advocacy coach with Metro Nashville Public Schools, said. “And that is all I could’ve asked for.”
Thursday, they are preparing to extend that act of kindness to students.
“We were able to put together this weekend a drive for the students,” Appleton said. “So those snack bags will be for the teachers to pass out for the students, or whether it’s held for students to come down and grab.”
“We need to step up as a community now more than ever,” Senior Pastor for Family Fellowship at Hamilton Church, Quentin Dickerson, said. “They have been through a lot. This trauma is still here. The grief is still here.”
To put together the 2,000 snack packs, volunteers, water, monetary donations, snack donations and brown paper bags are needed. Each pack will also include heartfelt messages of encouragement.
“It is just a calming mechanism for the children when things in their minds are going everywhere,” Dickeron said.
Appleton told News 2 that she hopes these small gestures will help brighten each student’s day.
“Another day is coming,” Appleton added. “Regardless of what may have happened yesterday, tomorrow is a new day. Keep fighting. You are heard. You are loved. And as Metro says: you are known.”
“Antioch has always been a strong-knit community. It always rises up, but now I believe Antioch is stronger than ever,” Dickerson said.
Donations can be dropped off by Saturday at 10 a.m. Volunteer opportunities will be at Hamilton Church on Saturday from 10-12 p.m. and 12-3 p.m. on Sunday.
