SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Truckloads of furniture, household goods and more were delivered the home of an 11-year-old boy and a family in need, fueled by an outpouring of support and a determined principal.
It's delivery day and Kristi Hunter-Clark can barely contain her joy.
"I felt like it was Christmas morning," said Hunter-Clark.
For Hunter-Clark, the principal at Chollas/Mead Elementary in Chollas View, it all began last week at her school, where in-person learning is limited to a small group of students, those greatest in need.
She learned about a tired 11-year-old boy, whose family had become homeless.
"Occasionally, he would have to come in, put his head down, and take a nap -- and we were allowing for that," said Hunter-Clark.
Hunter-Clark then found out the boy's family had recently been placed in housing, but the apartment was empty.
"There was no bed. They had minimal blankets, pillows for their kids to sleep on," said Hunter-Clark.
Hunter Clark's staff started fundraising campaign for the family of six.
"Our children can’t learn without basic needs met, a good night's rest and a belly full of food," said Hunter-Clark.
Hunter-Clark herself appealed to her Kensington neighborhood and nearby areas on the Nextdoor site for donations to fill up a home. Her reasoning? Her staff and the students are all in it together.
"We are a family. We stick together ... We know we are stronger together and can’t leave anyone behind," said Hunter-Clark.
Overnight, hundreds of donations poured in: a couch set, four beds and mattresses, a TV, a lamp, linens, towels and countless household goods. Hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards for grocery items were also donated.
“It restored my faith in humanity, people giving whatever they have,” said Hunter-Clark.
On Monday morning, all the donations were loaded into trucks and delivered to a grateful family.
“They were grinning from ear to ear. It was wonderful … If we do things little by little together, we can make big things happen,” said Hunter-Clark.
