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Ellen, Lowes surprise Rockport-Fulton High School with $1 million donation

Posted at 10:41 AM, Apr 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-16 11:41:31-04

Ellen DeGeneres has delivered a Texas-sized surprise to Rockport-Fulton High School. DeGeneres says it is the biggest surprise the show has given away in its 15 seasons.  

"Hi everybody!" DeGeneres said via live shot to a group of 200 or so students and staff, who had gathered in the middle school gym. 

Ellen then announced she is teaming up with Lowe’s and they are committing $1 million to help rebuild the high school gym. It was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. 

It was especially meaningful for the girls’ volleyball team. Many members of the team viewed the gym as their second home. DeGeneres checks in with volleyball players Karys Hawkins and Allison Sanders, and they share how devastated they were to learn about the gym’s destruction. 

Despite losing so much in the hurricane, the volleyball team coaches Amanda Bickle and Jessica Clark tell Ellen they managed to play the season due to support and goodwill from surrounding schools. 

The volleyball team, and other students and staff, have all come together to clean up their community. 

The big giveaway will air on Ellen today at 4 p.m. Then tune in to  KRIS 6 News for all the excitement, emotional reactions, and exclusive interviews with students and staff impacted by this big donation.