Fort Wayne teacher tied to Henryville school starts collection drive

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Homestead High School in southwest Allen County is exactly 209 miles from another school destroyed by a tornado in Henryville, Ind.  Though a drive of three-and-a-half hours separates the two, the buildings are now connected.

Homestead’s band director, Steve Barber taught in Henryville 25 years ago.  He spent the first ten years of his career in that community.

“They really took us and made us feel welcome,” Barber said.  “I can’t say enough about them; they’re good people.”

After seeing what little remained of his former workplace and town, Barber made what he called an easy decision to reach out to the victims.

Along with members of the Homestead band and their parents, a donation drive has begun in the parking lot of the school off Homestead Rd. in Fort Wayne.

Volunteers have been collecting items such as school supplies, non-perishable food, toiletries, tools, new blankets and coats to fill a semi-trailer.

“We’re just looking to help people who are really in desperate need right now,” Barber said.  “Some of the people down there escaped with just the shirts on their back.”

Barber and his crew planned to drive the donations to southern Indiana over the weekend.  Volunteers will be at the parking lot site to accept items from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily until the delivery.

The principal of Henryville High School has family in Ligonier where a similar drive has been launched.  The same kinds of donations will be accepted to fill a trailer at Westview High School during the same week.