DILLON -- Many people suffered broken hearts when watching news coverage of the earthquake that killed thousands in Haiti last month.
But the cracks that ran through the heart of Lori Jones were deeper than most.
Jones sponsors a Haitian girl named Bethiana, and when the tragedy happened, she wondered if Bethiana had survived. After writing letters to the sponsorship organization, Jones found out that Bethiana and her family were ok. But Jones was not completely relieved.
"I was absolutely delighted when I heard the news, she said. "But instantly my heart sank, thinking that the devastating conditions that they're in right now."
Jones is a chorus teacher at Dillon High School. After the quake, she spoke to students and administrators at the school about starting a relief effort. They decided on a water drive.
That was two weeks ago. Now, in the Dillon High School office stand walls of cases of water. Officials say the effort has generated more than 500 cases - and that's just at DHS. Latta High School, Lake View High School and Dillon Christian School also are collecting, and officials estimate that the the county has brought in more as many as 1,500 cases of water destined for Haiti.
Students like senior Shardaye Pender are one reason the drive has been so successful. Not only has she donated water herself, she's also encouraged local businesses to do the same.
"So everybody's contributing," she said. "Everybody has their part. It could be little or big. Everybody did a great part getting water."
But DHS administrators say the effort isn't just about helping, it's also about paying forward help they've received in the past.
Last year, News 13 highlighted the poor conditions at J.V. Martin Junior High School in Dillon. Afterwards, a business in Chicago reached out by furnishing the entire school. Jones says the water drive is the school's way of passing along the generosity.
"It's time that we recognize the needs of others," she said. "And that we pay it forward."
She hopes everyone who has participated in the drive finds the experience rewarding.
"The whole effort has been an emotional cleansing experience," she said. "And it's one that I hope each person who has made a contribution, that they feel that emotion."
She hopes Dillon County's generosity will help Haitian children like Bethiana recover from the tragedy.
The county completes the collection process Friday.
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