After multiple unexplained car fires in the parking lot of Charlottesville’s Jackson-Via Elementary School left three teachers without a mode of transportation, the community has rallied to support them.
An online fundraiser had collected $9,216 as of Thursday morning, which the fundraiser’s organizer has promised to split evenly between the three teachers.
Carol Taylor, the grandmother of a second grader at Jackson-Via, established a GoFundMe page for the teachers the same day as the fires this past Monday.
“Let’s, as a community, show these individuals that we truly appreciate their love and dedication in leading our children each and every day,” Taylor posted on the page. “Let’s help them at the very least to ease any financial burden that they will face, such as paying deductibles and car rentals, etc.”
Four cars parked outside the elementary school mysteriously caught fire Monday morning. They belonged to three teachers and a parent at the school.
No one was injured, and the school day was not delayed.
Authorities, however, say they still don’t know how or why the vehicles caught fire.
Crews with the Charlottesville Fire Department were dispatched to the school off Harris Road around 7:38 a.m. Monday, according to public safety spokesman Kyle Ervin.
“[The cars] had some gasoline run off and are verifying that it is not in storm water,” Ervin told The Daily Progress in an email. “CFD … has the circle in front of the school closed with fire hose and apparatus.”
It made for an eventful start of the school day at Jackson-Via but did not interrupt the start of class. Charlottesville City Schools opted not to delay or cancel school for the day, schools spokeswoman Beth Cheuk told The Daily Progress.
“Everyone is safe and inside the building following normal schedules,” the school division said in an email sent to Jackson-Via parents.
An investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, Taylor said she hopes the community will show some kindness and support to the three teachers who have lost their cars in the midst of the holiday season.
“Teachers already don’t make a lot,” she said. “It’s the holiday season, and even if you can only give a little, every bit will go to helping these educators k now that we value all they do to make our community a better place.”
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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