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WESTON – Robert L. Bland Middle School at 358 Court Ave. in Weston was devastated by July flooding, sustaining over $2 million in damages. A statement from Gov. Morrisey announced that the state would advance $400,000 in assistance, but the Patriots need much more to return to normalcy.
Genie Reeseman, assistant principal and athletic director, said the flood displaced hundreds of students and faculty and severely damaged the underside of the building, causing them to temporarily relocate and delay the start of the school year. As the fall sports season begins, many teams are scrambling to practice with donations from other schools and to compete in alternate locations.
"They liked playing in the heart of the town," Reeseman said. "That's a lot easier for a lot of the students to get there. It's been the heart of the town for a long time."
The middle school is partnering with the WVU Reed School of Media and Get Moving! Inc., a local athletics-focused nonprofit to raise money and sports equipment for students.
Items are needed to support the school's competitive sports teams, including soccer, football, basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Additionally, they are asking for donations for their physical education classes to continue, such as yoga mats, disc golf baskets, gaga balls, agility ladders, vertical jump boxes and badminton nets.
Reeseman said the school was contacted by Elizabeth Oppe, Reed School of Media professor and President of Get Moving! Inc., to initiate the project and combine the efforts of local organizations.
"It just has been a phenomenal partnership to work with them," she said.
According to Reeseman, the football and soccer teams were affected the most.
"Our football team lost all of their uniforms. They lost all of their equipment, all their pads," she said. "Our soccer team lost all their balls.”
According to Reeseman, the physical education department will also need a lot of assistance, as much of their equipment is outdoors.
Reeseman hopes that the donations and community rallying behind them will inspire her students to help others in need when they are able to in the future. She applauds her students' resilience not only since the flooding, but since birth.
"These kids to begin with, they don't have a lot. It's a rough, hard community to begin with. They come from already having to work together," she said. "So, now that we don't have much, and we're just using what little bit we have, that getting these donations, that these kids are being recognized, that maybe in the future, if something happens to someone else, that they'll be willing to say, 'Hey, they helped us....Now, it's our time to help them.'"
As the athletic director, Reeseman sees firsthand how athletics and extracurriculars helps children focus in the classroom and motivates them to come to school.
"It's being involved in 4-H, in athletics, in band ... some students, that's what they have, and that's how they connect. So, they perform academically. Their attendance is here just so they can be involved in that extracurricular activity. That's what they have to look forward to every day."
Donations can be delivered to the WVU Rec Center, the Mountainlair, the 5th floor of Brooks Hall or the 1st floor of Martin Hall. Supplies can also be shipped to Eugenia Reeseman directly at 160 Jackson's Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452.
The deadline for drop-off is Sept. 30.