Community is reason enough to celebrate, especially after the Waldo Canyon fire burned into the Mountain Shadows neighborhood.

Chipeta Elementary School in Colorado Springs School District 11 hosted a gathering Wednesday evening to give parents, students and others in the community a chance to spend time together and trade stories.

“It’s a wonderful idea to bring the kids back together,” said Jenny McCarthy, mom of a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old who attend Chipeta. “It gives them a chance to see that everyone is OK. Their summer got cut short.”

While adults talked about the past few weeks, kids of all ages ran around with friends. In one room, art supplies were set out so kids could make thank-you cards for first responders or just draw whatever they felt like. Kids also lined up to write on a thank-you banner that will hang outside the school.

The school itself was untouched, said Chipeta Principal Sarah Scott, adding that the burned homes are not visible from the school, despite being fairly close.

“The spot fires went right over the school,” she said.

Although information and crisis support was available Wednesday, the main draw for the more than 200 people who showed up were the snacks and the activities, including bouncy houses.

“It’s just time to play together,” Scott said.

The event was the result of conversations by Scott, staff and others as they tried to figure out ways to immediately support those impacted by the fire. About 30 school families lost their homes, and others may be displaced because of damages, Scott said.

“This is the first chance we get to do something,” said Chipeta art teacher Tom Burkle.

All Mountain Shadows residents and first responders were invited to the event. Firefighters from nearby Station No. 18 dropped in, much to the delight of kids who bombarded the firefighters with questions and asked for photos.

Students from other schools pitched in to help run activities, said D-11 Superintendent Nicholas Gledich.

“D-11 has a strong sense of family beyond each individual school,” he said.

A school isn’t just about learning, it’s about community, Gledich said, adding that Wednesday’s celebration gave everyone a chance to reconnect.

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