Diane Balanovich, a first grade teacher at Mary Mcleod Bethune Elementary School on Old York Road in North Philadelphia, would take care of the greenhouse every day. It is not accessible from the street, enclosed by the surrounding school building. She and other school officials believe someone climbed onto the roof, and torched the structure with fireworks; somehow the school building was left unscathed.
"All of our shovels, brooms, rakes, everything was just destroyed by the fire," said Diane.
The vandals didn't stop there. They smashed potted plants, split tools, busted up a wheelbarrow, and dumped potting soil and seed. The total estimated cost of the damage is $3500.
"It's just really needless and senseless of anyone to go off and do something like this, it's wrong," said David Bouie, Assistant Principal.
The elementary school was using the greenhouse as a teaching tool, not only about the processes of life, but also about how to live healthier lives.
"We take a lot of pride in this and it's not just for us, the teachers, it's really for the kids," said teacher Amy Heleniak.
Bethune Elementary has already reached out to members of the community, hoping to start a fundraising campaign.
"We are not going to let it keep us down. We are going to build bigger and better and hopefully everyone can see the hard work that goes in and hopefully get a lot more support this year," said Diane.
If people would like to make donations to help rebuild the greenhouse, they can make a check out payable to Bethune Elementary School Home and School Association and drop it off at the school office.
They can also send it to this address:
Bethune Elementary Home and School Association
c/o Mary Mcleod Bethune Elementary School
3301 Old York Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19140
