Cherokee Bend Elementary School students, teachers and school leaders were excited to participate in its second annual “Wrapping for America’s Warriors” project. Dr. Sandy Ritchey, principal, started the service project last year. She is proud of the school’s commitment to spread holiday cheer to our nation’s Veterans once again.

Presents on the way to VA hospital

Students have chosen to show their appreciation for the service of Veterans by giving back to them during this holiday season.

This year, the sixth-grade students hosted a donation drive and asked students to bring in new coats, toboggans, scarves, gloves, and socks for the Veterans. After receiving the donations, the fifth-grade students took great pride in wrapping each gift. The students collected and wrapped more than 100 gifts for our local Veterans.

Important for students to serve Veterans

They collected enough items to provide every inpatient Veteran at the Birmingham VA a present for the holiday season. These gifts were presented to Voluntary Service who told the students how meaningful the gifts will be to the Veterans.

“We believe it is important for students to serve our Veterans… our nation’s real heroes… the ones who freely served our country in order for us to experience the freedom and pride that come along with being an American,” said Carla Dudley, assistant principal.

The tradition began at Brookwood Forest Elementary School four years ago.

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

One Comment

  1. James R Sherman December 24, 2021 at 16:58

    Dr Sandy Ritchie you are an amazing person. I can’t think of a better lesson. in American Civics for a bunch of 5th and 6th graders. Really didn’t have to explain the lesson plan here.

    Dr Sandy Ritchie stand up and take a well deserved bow!!

Comments are closed.

More Stories