Football players from Gilbert Perry and Scottsdale Chaparral high schools have shown they are tough this season.

They also have a tender, caring side.

Before the teams met at Perry on Friday (Oct. 1), Perry assistant principal Heather Patterson announced that Chaparral players and boosters and coach Charlie Ragle had donated $1,000 and Perry players and boosters and coach Preston Jones had donated $2,000 to help a Perry staff member in the wake of a family tragedy.

Emily Gaona's daughter and two grandchildren recently were shot and killed, allegedly by the daughter's husband, who then ended his own life.

The money collected from the football teams was part of a $13,000 total that will be used to help with family costs.

"Tonight, we have proven we are more than a school -- we are a community,'' Patterson said in a pregame ceremony.

The football people and others who donated should be commended for their generosity.