Students' efforts to support teacher also helps fire victims

A effort by seventh grade basketball players who wanted to show their support for a teacher and coach has also ended up benefiting a Mt. Morris family.

Players of the David L. Rahn Junior High’s seventh grade girls basketball team started wearing and selling pink shirts for their teacher and coach, Gretchen Story, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year.

But the pink T-shirts which have “The Start of New Decade” printed on one side and the pink breast cancer ribbon with Story’s initials on it on the other, soon became a desired item by others at the school and eventually Oregon School District staff.

“It started out just for Gretchen’s seventh grade basketball team and then everyone at the junior high wanted them and eventually it went district wide,” said Donna Hite, DLR secretary. “Last Friday, we had a half day of school and everyone wore their pink shirts for Gretchen.”

The profit from the sale of the shirts, $289, was originally going to be donated to help battle breast cancer, but when eighth grade student Kaitlin Oltmanns lost her home to a fire earlier this year Story decided to split the proceeds.

On Tuesday, Story presented a check for $144.50 to Oltmanns.

“Thanks,” said Oltmanns as she accepted the check.

The other $144.50 was donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research in honor of Story.

Story said she was very pleased with the success of the fundraiser.

“We just started this as a team and it just ended up growing and growing,” said Story. “It’s very nice.”