Through its recent Our Best to West Campaign, Mesquite ISD raised nearly $7,500 for West ISD. A check for $7,449.65, representing a collection of cash and check donations from all Mesquite ISD campuses and offices, was sent to Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford.

It has been about two months since the town of West suffered an explosion that destroyed much of the community—including three of its four school buildings.

One of Mesquite ISD’s first-year teachers, a West native, is especially touched by and grateful for the district’s fundraising campaign. “West is where my roots are planted,” said Matthew Matus, a social studies teacher at Mesquite High School. “I grew up on the playgrounds that are now obliterated, played ball inside the unstable school gymnasiums and studied hard within the walls of the three schools that were heavily damaged.”

Matus is proud of what he called “the caring MISD network.” The generosity and contributions will go a long way to getting the town on track, he said. “Without a doubt, the entire West population is directly affected by the absence of safe schools for the kids of the tight-knit community.”

“We want to help the West community—particularly the students and school employees,” said Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Linda Henrie. “I’m continually impressed by the collective generosity of our district students, staff, parents and community members and feel confident our fundraising results will go to good use.”

Story and photo courtesy of Mesquite ISD