Kids raise $10,000 for family of clerk set on fire

By Amanda Fitzpatrick, NBCDFW.com

GARLAND, Texas -- High school students have raised $10,000?for the family of?a convenience store clerk, known as "Grandma" to?many in the Garland community, who was set on fire during a robbery attempt.

Nancy Harris, 76, died Friday night, nearly a week after the attack at the Fina gas station where she worked in South Garland.

On Saturday,?students from South Garland High School?returned to the place of the attack to hold a car wash and raise money for her family.

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Read the original report at NBCDFW.com

"I was just devastated. Its kind of outlandish that someone would go out of their way to do this,"?said Dylan Stooksberry, president of the school's student council. "To have that happen to someone who you know, to?a face that you know, to a friend, it's devastating."?

"It hurts deep down and honestly if someone is going to go out of their way to do something bad like that, I am going to go out of my way to do something nice," said Stooksberry.

The Fina gas station is just a block from their school. Many students, like DJ Valderrama, personally knew Harris.

"I came in the gas station and she showed me so much kindness by giving me a free drink,"?Valderrama said. "Whenever somebody shows you that kind of kindness if affects your life, really."

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Despite the tragedy on Sunday at the Fina gas station, many students told NBC 5 that the incident has brought the community closer together.

Many?hoped this fundraiser will help honor Harris.

"I know Ms. Harris is looking down on us right now, I know she is happy," said Valderrama.

Matthew Johnson is charged with attempted capital murder in connection with this case. Those charges could be upgraded because Ms. Harris has died.

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