Stories From Main Street: New Jersey Community Plans Fundraiser For Beloved Math Teacher With ALS
MONTVALE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey community is coming together to give back to a beloved middle school math teacher who has ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.
Fieldstone Middle School teacher Donna Myhre, 41, revealed her ALS diagnosis when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media.
Now, Montvale families are putting together a fundraiser for Myhre on June 23 at The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar in Hillsdale.
Parent Rachele Campana, who is now a close friend working to repair a debt of gratitude, said Myhre is the kind of teacher that leaves an impression.
"All four of my kids were not comfortable with math until they had her," Campana said of Myhre. "She does more than her job, she puts kids in a position of success every day and her motives are very driven towards the kids having a positive experience."
The owners of the restaurant, whose children Myhre also taught, are donating their facility and food, meaning 100 percent of the proceeds will be going to Myhre, Campana said.
The community has also been voting online to win Myhre an accessible vehicle.
The grateful math teacher is counting her blessings.
"I have an almost 3-year-old, it inspires me to have hope for the future that there are such good people looking out for others out there that she'll be fine in the end," Myhre said.
