North Hollywood : Aid, Good Will Flow to Vandalized School

Contributions and good will continue to flow to a North Hollywood school for disabled children that was hit last week by vandals.

The Rotary Clubs of San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys gave the principal of Lowman Special Education Center a check for $6,000 Tuesday.

“We were moved by the story of what happened at the school and wanted to help them cover the repair costs,” said Howard Durbin, district governor for the regional Rotary Clubs.

Early last week, vandals broke into the public school that serves 275 severely physically and mentally disabled children, most of whom come from families that fall below the federal poverty line. The vandals used wheelchairs to smash windows and vending machines, and stole valuable communications and computer equipment from the main office.

It was the second time in a four-month period that the school had been vandalized and burglarized.

Although the crimes left teachers and parents demoralized, the public response has been uplifting, Principal Helen Hartel said.

Contributions of cash and offers to replace stolen computers and a fax machine began last week and continued this week.

Last Thursday, a Studio City electronics store donated a new Macintosh computer, and an anonymous donor brought in a new fax machine. Other individuals brought cash and checks to help meet the cost of damages, estimated at a minimum of $6,000.

A security company located nearby offered to use its guards to patrol Saticoy Street near the school, and AAR Security, a burglar alarm installation firm in Venice, offered to upgrade the school’s alarm system at no cost.