$5K Match Pledged To Replace Salem Vandalized Mini-Bus

SALEM, MA — A campaign to raise money to repair or replace a Salem school mini-bus that was vandalized while students gardened nearby earlier this month has generated a "flood of support," including a pledge to match the first $5,000 in donations.

Greenhouse School Principal Dan Welch said the challenge gift was part of the "impressive success in our crowdfunding campaign" that stood at $2,170 of the $25,000 sought as of Monday afternoon.

"We're not there yet, of course, but it's worth giving an update because it is uplifting," Welch said in an update on Monday. "Thanks, of course, to those who have already given, and please do help if you can by spreading the word."

He said donations can be made through the GiveSendGo website here or by sending a check to the school. He said more than half of the funds have come in this form thus far.

"We are also fine if people want to remain anonymous," Welch said.

Welch said that on April 18 security cameras caught two boys and two girls, believed to be teenagers, breaking into the bus on the school's campus. While most schools were on vacation that week, the Greenhouse School — which runs year-round — was not and conducting a recreation week that included tending to the garden campus.

Welch said the vandalism left the school without transportation. The bus also has sentimental value at the school with the plan being to raise money to fix it up or repurpose it.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)