GREENE CO., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— At the Metropolitan School District of Shakamak, students wore hats to school in exchange for a dollar to help support Jim Gadberry while he recovers in the hospital from a motorcycle crash that happened over the weekend.
“He is very well known in our community and very much loved,” said Shakamak Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Amy Hammond. “We thought this would be a great way to support him to help with his medical expenses and his traveling, as he had a motorcycle accident over the weekend.”
Hammond came up with Hat Day as a way to help Gadberry and his family. Gadberry is a retired Jasonville police chief, student resource officer at Linton Elementary School, and a school board member with the Shakamak district. He is well loved and respected by everyone at Shakamak.
“I consider Jim to be one of my friends,” Hammond said. “Anytime I’ve needed anything or had any questions or needed any support, he’s always been there for me as well as everybody else in the community. I know if there was a situation that involved any of our teachers, he would be the person that would go above and beyond to help support them, so we wanted to give the same back to him.”
Gadberry has a close connection with the Shakamak students who are now concerned about his recovery. They all hope he gets well soon, and Hammond knew the kids would want to help and support him like he does for them every day.
“I just wanted to involve the kids in our school because that is his love,” Hammond said. “He loves the kids. The kids are in our whole school coloring pictures to hang in his hospital room that says get well, Mr. Gadberry. It’s a picture of him and his police uniform surrounded by kids, because if you know Jim, anywhere he goes, the kids usually flock to him. He loves the kids and the kids love him.”
The students stepped up for Gadberry and raised $649. This money will be given to Gadberry and his family to help cover some of his medical expenses as he recovers from his accident.
Comments