Music returns to school devastated by storm

>>> back now at 8:20. this morning on getting to the heart of christmas, a very deserving school. kerry sanders is here with the sto story. good morning.

>> good morning. hurricane sandy was so devastating. just a short distance from where we're all sitting here right now in far rockaway there was a public school that lost its gym, gym supplies, art supplies , teacher teachers' lounge and so much more. but just like in the storybooks, there is a happy end iing. when superstorm sandy overwhelmed the coast here, the hurricane was like a thief.

>> really horrible sight.

>> utter devastation.

>> reporter: rushed inland destroy i destroying homes, cars, lives.

>> it makes me feel hopeless.

>> reporter: it also stole the beat of this community's soul. gone is the music. the pride of this community. what made bell harbor different than other schools was silenced that night.

>> unfortunately, all the instruments that were once use ed by our students are now laid to rest.

>> reporter: 86-year-old elementary school . when the water started to recede, it revealed most of the instruments had been destroyed.

>> now, silence.

>> reporter: we were with principal steven grill when he returned to his school.

>> it's been a grueling three weeks for myself as well as my children. so i can't say any more.

>> reporter: 22 days after the storm --

>> glad to be back?

>> reporter: a step toward that recovery when bell harbor school finally reopened.

>> welcome back, everybody!

>> reporter: but the --

>> it's hard to live my life right now. i just miss like my regular life.

>> reporter: when does that come back?

>> i don't know.

>> let's start at the beginning.

>> reporter: while the music returned -- oh, beautiful for spacious skies

>> reporter: without the instruments.

>> eight flutes, ten clarinets, 10 alto saxes.

>> it just wasn't the same. whoa whoa oh, it's always a good time

>> sandy stole the music. but now the "today" show, with walmart, we're bringing it back. it's always a good time whoa whoa whoa

>> you know how help i am right now? it's one of the most amazing things.

>> reporter: walmart is going to offer you a gift, an ipod nano . we're going to keep the music going. and remember 8-year-old maisy? what do you think now that this is happening?

>> i'm happy.

>> reporter: it's been a while since you felt that way?

>> yeah.

>> reporter: you got what?

>> a nano.

>> wow! what do you guys think?

>> awesome!

>> i love everything. i lost all my electronics and everything. this is the best day of my life.

>> reporter: somebody here wants to give you a gift, from nbc's "america's got talent" nick cannon !

>> you know, music really matters to me. i know you guys have to have something to listen to. so monster is hooking everybody up with free headphones!

>> these kids have had so much grief, so much loss over the last month. and it brings a tear to my eye again. so happy to be kids today.

>> thank you!

>> and the kids are, of course, thanking walmart, which walmart not only returned the music but also replaced most of the supplies that were lost to the tune of more than $100,000.

>> so great.

>> i love the little boy .

>> ano!

>> absolutely.

>> great job.

>>> coming up, giada share sos some of her favorite holiday recipes with us.