August 7, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weber’s community supports school’s re-building effort
The staff and students of Weber Elementary have one group of community volunteers in their corner.  They’re called “The Power Express” and they mean business. 

The 48-member group, made up of previous Weber staff, retired principals, parents and Weber neighbors, is offering a helping hand to the Weber Elementary rebuilding effort.

After an arson fire on the last day of classes destroyed 50 percent of Weber Elementary, causing $6.5 million in damages, staff and students were left without their beloved school for the first day of classes.

Not only are the classrooms being rebuilt, but many Weber teachers lost a career’s worth of personal teaching supplies not covered by insurance.  

One of the Power Express organizers, Barb McGinnis, who used to be a teacher at Weber, knew she had to get involved.  “My children helped open Weber in ‘72 and I taught there for six years and I still live in the neighborhood,” said McGinnis.  “Some of the retirees stay in touch, so I wrote a note and rallied everyone together.  We started out with 12 people, but it’s grown to 48.” 

Volunteers are scheduled to start helping teachers unpack boxes in their temporary classrooms.

It’s easy for the community to donate to the cause.  Just walk in to a local Target and search the bridal registry by typing in “Weber Elementary” under the bride or groom.  Teachers are in need of over 500 items to start the school year.   

A “Thank You” lunch has also been organized for the Weber construction teams at Weber Elementary, 8725 W. 81st Pl., Arvada, at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 8, to show the community’s appreciation to the workers involved in re-building the neighborhood school.
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**Interested media please call Melissa Reeves, News Media Specialist, #303-982-9222, to arrange photo ops of teachers unpacking and access to Jeffco schools.