STILWELL — The Cherokee Nation has stepped up to lend a helping hand to the Adair County community of Greasy after that community lost its school to a fire recently.
The tribe’s Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs provided boxed lunches to the students, faculty and other staff to fill the gap until the school’s food supply could be replenished. Most of Greasy School’s 80 students are Cherokee, as well as many of its faculty and staff.
Cherokee Nation’s Office of Emergency Management has worked with the school to determine and help coordinate operational needs since the early morning fire destroyed all of its buildings. In addition, OEM staff worked with the school’s cafeteria staff to solve temporary food storage issues, including providing a refrigerated truck and a freezer.
Several modular buildings have been ordered, but until those arrive, the school plans to hold classes at a community building built by the Nation and two local churches.
Other departments at Cherokee Nation also helped, including the tribe’s Human Services Group and Cherokee Nation’s Talking Leaves Job Corps.
