Woodside Elementary School hosts Fundraiser to help families

GLEN BURNIE, Md. - Friday is the last day for students a Woodside Elementary School, but some teachers are not taking a break.

The staff at Woodside Elementary School in Glen Burnie put on a benefit called "How Big is Your Heart"at Mothers Grille in Fells Point with seven families in mind.

The goal of the benefit is to raise money for several families with homeless students at the school.  One family in particular, featured on ABC2 News., was one of the driving causes behind the benefit.  

The money raised will help a homeless family of three brothers and their grandmother in finding a place to live.  For the other families, organizers plan to help purchase clothing and food. 

Who are they helping?

Darlene Landrum was left to take care of her four grandchildren after her daughter was incarcerated.  She says it has been tough to make ends meet with little money.  She's homeless and living with family members.

"It's been rough.  We got put out.  We travel at night to DC.  I bring the kids to school. Money is tight and it's a lot," said Darlene Landrum, Grandmother.

How Big is Your Heart will help Landrum and six other families.  Woodside Elementary School is a Title One school, which means about 54 percent of its students qualify for free lunch and ten percent qualify for reduced lunch.

Administrators were so concerned for the students when they heard of different stories of hardships, they came up with a fundraiser to help.

"We became aware of some families that were homeless. Some students have shelter and some do not.  It struck a cord with our staff and with me personally.  I had problems sleeping so I decided to do something about it," said Michele Polk, organizer of the fundraiser and Physical Education Teacher.

Evelyn Johnson takes care of her 8-year-old grandson with no child support.  She admits it's tough making ends meet.

"I feel it's awesome to have this fundraiser.  The teachers are going to touch so many lives.  There is so many people out there who really need more help and they feel like no one cares.  This is going to make a big difference in their lives," said Johnson, Grandmother.

Teachers and administrators say this fundraiser not only helps families of Woodside Elementary School, but it's also a teachable moment showing students how important it is to help others.

The event

How Big is Your Heart Fundraiser will be held on Friday June 8th from 6pm to 9pm at Mothers Federal Hill Grille located at 1113 South Charles Street in Federal Hill.  The cost is $10 per person.  For more information call Michele Polk at Woodside Elementary School at 410-222-6910.