Small community makes big contribution

DERBY, Conn. (WTNH) -- If you could put enthusiasm in a bottle and sell it, you would have made a fortune at Derby High school this morning. Fifty students, juniors and seniors, many sporting 'Rise Rockaway' t-shirts, carrying much need supplies onto a bus heading to Queens, New York.

What began with an idea from the principal, turned into a mission for these kids.

"I just sent out a tweet and the kids just ran with it," Greg Galliard, the Derby High School Principal, said.

Not only would they be distributing-paper towels, food, shovels and other critical supplies, but they also planned to roll up their sleeves and help in the clean-up.

"I'm hoping they'll see that many have lost things on a large scale. But these people lost their childhood memories, they lost their pictures, they lost everything they ever had," student Zach Volo said.

For Principal Galliard, who the kids affectionately call 'Mr G', this was personal. He grew up in Rockaway, Queens.

He says, this day out of class is the ultimate learning experience.

"This is a win, win situation not only do the people of Rockaway need help, the whole coast in fact, but for my kids to help those who they've never met before. No textbooks, no tests, no exam can teach kids to give back to others," Galliard said.

So in the wake of the storm, today was about a small Connecticut community sending a message.

"They're always like Derby's small you know, but we're kid of showing you what Derby can do and its good community work," student Reim Ailian said.

Perhaps small in size, but big when it comes to thinking about those touched by despair.