05/23/2026
In just two days, six classrooms and specialist educator spaces were packed up and moved following the devastating F1 tornado that struck DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57 elementary on April 26, 2026.
With winds reaching 105 mph, the tornado tore part of the roof from the school, leaving rain to further damage classrooms and materials inside the building. The impact was significant for the school’s 92 students and 20 staff members, but so has been the community response.
Today, HICF Piatt County Philanthropic Advisor Cristin Poling Wright joined Sunshine Supplies for Teachers, NFP executive director Crystal Hoadley to present a $5,000 grant to Superintendent Michael Tresnak and Principal Jill Collins to support educators as they rebuild their classroom spaces and replace many of the “extras” teachers so often purchase out of their own pockets to create welcoming and engaging learning environments for students.
Sunshine Supplies also stepped up in a big way by donating boxes of binders, office supplies, and paper, while also helping teachers locate specific classroom materials, bulletin board supplies, and lesson resources needed to prepare for students.
Thankfully, the Inchy’s Book Vending Machine we donated to the school last May was not damaged in the storm and remains ready to continue encouraging a love of reading among students.
We’re wishing the students, educators, staff, and families of DeLand-Weldon all the best as recovery efforts continue and classrooms are rebuilt for the future.
