Former Jacksonville teacher collecting supplies for his new school in Panama City

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Panama City principal who once called Jacksonville his home is back to get some help for his students in another town.

For some kids at Oakland Terrace Elementary in Panama City, the school is more than just a school.

“That’s where most of the kids eat two meals, they have comfort, that’s their security blanket,” said Bryan Long, principal at Oakland Terrace Elementary.

But that security blanket is gone for now.

Strong winds from Hurricane Michael knocked down several trees on top of Oakland Terrace Elementary, causing a lot of damage.

It gets worse for the kids who go there.

“But the neighborhood surrounding where my kids and families of my school live has been devastated,” Long said.

Long was a teacher in Jacksonville. He’s now back, hoping his old school family will help his new one.

Long's former colleagues at North Shore Elementary donated money out of their own pockets. Several Jacksonville businesses donated clothes, books, food and water.

“We just wanted to do anything we can to help,” said Joey Janssen, a member of Leadership at Benefit Advisors.

“We’re going to go door to door and hand out supplies, do everything we can for these families,” Long said.

For Long, being a principal is more than just his job.

“That school is my heart, those teachers are my heart, those kids are my heart,” said Long.

Cox Media Group