By Kari Lucin, staff writer

A class of fifth-graders lent a helping hand to one of their own Friday when they presented house fire victims Chris Reule and her son, classmate Alex, with over $700.

&8220;It feels really good to just help them out, have them feel like they’ll be at home again,&8221; said fifth-grader Luke Arnold.

The kids took buckets around to each classroom in Sibley Elementary School, asking for nickels and dimes for the Reule family.

&8220;We came up with a lot of ideas&8221; for helping the family out, said Haley Peterson, but finally the

class settled on doing the bucket project.

The Reules lived in Albert Lea just two and a half months before their one-story home burned down in March. Though none of them were in the house, the family lost their two dogs, along with their new home.

&8220;It makes people feel good to make money for other people, to help them,&8221; said Katie Callahan, Sibley fifth-grader.

Chris cried as she accepted the card from her son’s fifth-grade class, taught by Nancy Sorlie. Every class and many staff members contributed to the project.

&8220;This is Albert Lea, everybody works together,&8221; said Sorlie.

Parent organizations Sibley SHARE and the Sibley Parent Involvement Committee also gave the Reules $100.

The family is now renting a house on Garfield Avenue, but they intend to rebuild their house, exactly the same as the old one.

&8220;Think positive,&8221; said fifth-grader Wyatt Madson.

(Contact Kari Lucin at kari.lucin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3444.)