Twin brothers use Halloween to help a school damaged by Hurricane Michael

SARASOTA, Fla. -- While you’re trick-or-treating this Halloween, twin brothers in Sarasota have a way you can help hurricane victims too.

During the school’s morning announcements at Lakeview Elementary, twin brothers Avery and Kennedy Cole asked classmates to use Halloween to help students at Bay Haven Charter Academy in the Panhandle.

Avery told the school, “The school was devastated by Hurricane Michael. We want to help them rebuild here is how you can help.”

Kennedy explained how they could help: “You will receive one of these forms from your teacher. Cut out the labels on the bottom tape it to containers like this one. Take the container with you when you go trick-or-treating and ask people to donate loose change to help people affected by Hurricane Michael.”

The twins saw images of devastation in the Panhandle on the evening news.

“I felt very sad for them,” said Kennedy.

It inspired Kennedy to help, and the brothers turned to their teacher for guidance.

“They’re strong role models. They want to help others. They have the initiative not told to do it ... it’s inside they want to be kind people,” said Victoria Theiler, the twins' fifth-grade teacher and coordinator of the school’s new Kindness Club. Kennedy is the club's president.

The 10-year-olds hope to raise $1,000 from the trick-or-treating fundraiser.

"I want them to feel like someone else cares besides their family and friends,” said Avery.

Kennedy added, “We all can go through tough times together. Just because we don’t know each other doesn’t mean we don’t care for each other. We can help people all over the world.”

Theiler said she’s proud of her students.

“I wish we had more Kennedy’s and Averys in the world,” she said.

The brothers ended their morning announcement with this reminder, “Remember ... be kind.”

A family friend has also set up a Go Fund Me page for the school in Panama City. The goal is $5,000; they’ve raised nearly $1,000 to help fix and reopen the school.

The twins hope other families will adopt their trick-or-treating idea tonight and help hurricane victims on the long road to recovery

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