Student-Athletes In Chouteau Assist In Storm Damage Recovery

Student-athletes at Chouteau schools had to stop their summer workouts this week because of the extensive storm damage.

But instead of just staying home, the students got together to help the town clean up after the storm.

Taij Chavez says when it comes to supporting Chouteau School athletics, people always show up.

"They always come up and support us, so we felt like we need to support them, some way somehow," he said.

That's why when the students couldn't do their summer workouts because of storm damage, they decided to go around town helping others.

"Yesterday, we were walking around and it looked like we did nothing helping out, it was bad," he said.

About 50 kids have been working, picking up leaves and loading up branches.

Coach Kalee Baxter says the school has also been passing out water to those who need it.

She says it's been great for the students to see how important it is to give back.

"We had kids yesterday saying that they couldn't wait to come back today, that they enjoyed seeing the smiles on neighbors faces, and the community receiving it so positively," she said.

Chesney Inglett says she didn't have much damage at her house, but when she saw how bad it was in other parts of town, she knew she had to help.

"My friends and neighbors who had like trees through their houses, and a lot worse things than me so that kind of motivated me to get up and help," she said.

Chesney says if she's ever in need, she would want people to step up and help her, so she's glad to be helping clean up.

"Helping out just a little bit can go a long way," she said.

The school is also passing out free food to the community and is being used as an overflow space for linemen in the area to rest and eat.