A Burris Laboratory School class celebrating their 50^th reunion this weekend in Muncie wanted to give back to the city that educated them.  As IPR’s Alexis Alicea reports, they chose a cause that is close to home for a fellow classmate.

About 100 Burris owls and their spouses flocked into town to celebrate the class of 1967’s 50^th reunion.  They’ve also teamed up with The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County to assist The Soup Kitchen of Muncie by replacing outdated or over-used kitchen equipment.

The Soup Kitchen’s executive director is also a member of the Burris class.  Loretta Parsons says she is grateful her class is raising money for the community they were raised in.

“To pick this that I am involved in is so dear to me. It just was really humbling and I’m just so appreciative of the effort they are making.”

Thirteen classmates also volunteered at the soup kitchen while they were in Muncie for the weekend, before dining at the reunion.

Former Burris student Phil Piner says it was nice to be reunited with his classmates after all these years.

“It’s great. I’m surprised how young some of them look, I’m jealous of how everyone looks.”

Parsons says growing up with the movements that happened in the 1960’s, her class learned that it’s important for people to care about others, not just themselves.

“It’s not about us. It’s about everybody and we have to help each other.”

The fundraiser organizers say they hope the class can raise $40,000 for the Soup Kitchen.