Before firefighters had even arrived, teachers and students from Rosa Parks Elementary watched as smoke was coming out of the residential building.

The schoolyard is right behind the apartment complex.

“I yelled for my amazing co-workers to clear the yard and move the kids away from the fire,” said Cicily Ina-Lee a teacher who, along with her colleague Vincent Reyes, ran toward the apartments.

Both teachers pulled down the fire escape ladders. Reyes went inside to rescue residents.

“I went inside the building here when the fire first started. I saw the fire it was pretty heavy on the roof and that’s when I saw the last person hopefully come out of the building,” Reyes explained.

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One of the residents, who did not want to give us her name, described the teachers’ efforts. “And they were screaming and knocking and calling and trying to get us out and when the doors opened they went in and rescued the old people. They were fantastic,” the resident said. She managed to take her two parakeets with her.

Josh Gant was walking in the area when he saw some of the other victims being taken away.

“They were bringing one lady out, she was burnt really badly on her face and hands. Then they brought another lady out, she had smoke all over her and they brought another lady out, smoke all over her, and they were all like 80 years old, I guess,” added Gant.

Eighteen people were displaced in what exhausted firefighters described as a fast-moving blaze. It was a rescue effort aided by two teachers who thought of their neighbors first.

“We’re teachers, so we care about other people. Hopefully anybody would do the same things,” said Reyes.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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ADRIAN – More than 200 students from Lincoln Elementary School gathered on the Adrian College soccer field Tuesday to celebrate how their movement and exercise led to a great cause.

Lincoln Elementary in Adrian uses an online program called Free2Play during class to get her body moving. Free2Play is a non-profit organization co-founded by Gary Gray and his son Doug Gray and founded in 2001. The Gray Institute, of which Doug is president, is the driving force behind Free2Play. The Gray Institute provides exercise and applied functional science education and information. It encourages people to move and move around. Free2Play is a free program used by schools around the world, including Chicago, San Francisco, and even Thailand. It encourages students to be active and move their bodies so they can help others.

“It’s all about movement, but movement to do something for someone else. So we have a mantra; Our motto is “sweat, inspire”. Use and care for the gifts we have been given. Not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others and by serving others, which is the “inspirational” part, “said Doug Gray.

Lincoln boss Sam Skeels has known and supported Free2Play for a long time. He was a trainer for Hot Rock, a basketball camp started by the Gray Institute.

“The other cool thing is that we’re teaching the kids generosity skills and movement skills. … Free2Play is the only research-based movement skill that we can teach children to improve their knowledge of movement and thus their generosity skills, ”said Skeels. “What became of this this year is our coin-operated drive and the ability to raise a lot of money for some really good causes.”

Lincoln held a coin-operated ride as part of their goal of serving others and giving back, as Free2Play encourages. They raised $ 2,692.67 in just three weeks. This money will be donated for two different purposes: I92 Ministries and Alexander Elementary School.

I92 Ministries is an organization founded by Andy Piatt and his wife that offers weekend meals to students who cannot afford them. I92 packages these meals and delivers them to schools across Lenawee County on Fridays for distribution to students who need them. They currently look after around 700 students.

“You are changing people’s lives and I encourage you to continue to find ways to help other people in need. Thank you very much, ”said Piatt to the students. “What you’ve done makes a huge difference in our community and in people’s lives. Thank you very much.”

Alexander Elementary is in the process of installing an all-inclusive playground for all students so that children with physical limitations or a disability can also play. The donation from the coin-operated machine goes to the playground fund.

“I love to see all of these children, especially in the Adrian community, who support our efforts to develop this all-inclusive program, especially for students, so that everyone can be included,” said Alexander Principal Shanan Henline. “It is very encouraging to see that the children are supporting the effort to help with I92 Ministries and our Playground Fund. It’s really honestly inspiring. “

Kindergarten went through fifth grade students to Docking Stadium at Adrian College, which is about a three-quarters mile walk away. When they arrived, they all lined up on the soccer field. Doug Gray, with his wife Valerie, guided the children in the exercises and movements, and the students participated and followed them. Then Free2Play presented the two donation checks I92 Ministries and Alexander Elementary.

Free2Play is based on the idea that an athlete is only someone who is good at a sport.

“… Also, the children’s desire to give something back – I mean, we already have it deep in our hearts that we want to give – and when children find out that it is easy to give something, not financially … but Your time and talent, they instantly say, “I like this, this is cool,” and that motivates us all, “said Gary Gray.” So we quickly decided that we could redefine athleticism from someone who works hard and from someone who gives something back. “

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