TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The

visited University Place Elementary Tuesday afternoon with a delivery of school supplies and toys for students, many of whom were affected by the

.

Susan Laxton, kindergarten teacher at Wildewood School in Ralston, Neb., and mother of former Tide gymnast Meredith Laxton, organized a drive with her students and sent the toys and supplies that the gymnasts distributed.

"So many of our current and former gymnasts did so much after the tornado to help get Tuscaloosa back on their feet," head coach Sarah Patterson said. "When Meredith Laxton's mother, Susan, heard what had happened, she gathered her students together and asked them what they could do to help and they sent boxes of toys, books and school supplies."

The gymnasts helped students pick out items to take home in the school's library.

"It was such an amazing moment when the children saw everything laid out on the tables in the library," Patterson said. "It was like Christmas morning. It meant so much to our ladies to see that and to have a hand in helping children who lost so much."

Many University Place students and their families lost their homes and possessions in the April 27 tornado. Students are temporarily attending classes at the former Stillman Heights Education Center after their school was damaged by the storm.

"Today was amazing," junior All-American Ashley Sledge said. "There was so much to do, and so much that was done right after the tornado hit, but there are so many in this community who are still working to overcome all the damage, and everything that was lost. Today is a great example of how people can continue to make a difference in the recovery effort that is going to be going on for quite some time."