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OPINIONS
Thumbs up: Community steps up for Tolsia High School
A tragedy can help define who your true friends are. In the last month, the Tolsia High School community has learned that it has many.
On Oct. 13, a fire destroyed the school's football fieldhouse and with it nearly $600,000 in football and program equipment and materials. Many in Wayne and Cabell counties rallied quickly to gather replacement equipment so the team could finish its season, but now the school is focused on rebuilding.
Already more than a dozen local businesses have contributed funds, but this week the effort got a real shot in the arm when two of West Virginia's most well-known sports figures got involved.
On Wednesday, former Marshall University football coach Bobby Pruett and former West Virginia University football coach Don Nehlen teamed up with the National Football Foundation to host a Football Fundraiser Kickoff.
Where Pruett and Nehlen go the spotlight follows, and the event was a major step in getting the Tolsia project started, including a $25,000 check from the state, presented by Sen. H. Truman Chafin (D-Mingo). Reports of numerous other donations of needed equipment and funding also rolled in.
But Pruett was quick to point out that the school still has a long way to go to replace all that was lost.
"We owe it to these kids to prove that we can erase this scar and you can't kill the spirit of Tolsia High School," Pruett said.
Those wishing to make donations to help Tolsia High School's efforts can send checks or money orders to Tolsia High School Building Fund, 1 Rebel Drive, Fort Gay, WV 25514-9677.
