PAPILLION, Neb. — Last spring, a popular author with Fremont roots decided to help the community with a fundraising campaign for flooding victims. Patriot Elementary School in Papillion raised the most money in the campaign and received their special prize - a visit from the author herself.
The children's book author, Julia Cook, actually has Fremont roots, and has lived in Fremont since 2001. When the flooding hit last spring, she knew she had to help. So she called on the kids of America to bring a dollar to school and raise money for the kids of Fremont.
"We actually were the top school in the nation, raising the most money out of any school. I think the entire nation raised about $70,000 and Patriot raised close to $4,000," Patriot Elementary School counselor Katie Boyle said.
The money raised went towards helping Fremont kids get some their normalcy back.
"We bought backpacks for kids, and shoes and dressers and beds, and diapers. We were able to pay for a therapist to come in and work with the kids who really struggled," Cook said.
Cook made sure to recognize the students' hard work and helped them learn some lessons along the way.
"If they're happy, we're happy too. Because we just want everybody to feel safe and happy," Patriot Elementary School sixth grader Yara Abdelhamid said.
Monday, we'll start our "Following the Flood" special coverage marking the one year anniversary of the devastating 2019 floods. Join us as our team heads to Fremont to reflect on what happened and see what still needs to be done.
