ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Breed Middle School Leadership Team members Noemi Ramirez, Prisila Romero, Norelya Mendez, Gabby Albarez, and Violet Cuevas sort the gloves and socks they collected for veterans.
By MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — When Breed Leadership Academy teacher Julie Collins was contemplating her annual student-led Service Project to benefit veterans, she said the idea came to her pretty quickly, on a cold morning.
“Mittens, gloves and socks seemed like a practical and much-needed choice, especially during the cold winter months we all endure each and every year,” she said. “Each year we try to fulfill one initiative that is focused on giving back to those who have served our country.”
Collins went on to say that meeting the school’s Veterans Day Assembly speaker led her to the beneficiary of the collected winter necessities.
“Our speaker, Kevin Doherty, talked about his time as a volunteer at the Veterans Hospital in Bedford and that seemed like a good fit for us,” said Collins, who teaches seventh grade science.
So the students went to work and the collections began. Collins was excited about the outpouring of goodwill and generosity that the drive was producing and was eager to see what the final count would be.
Seventh-grader, Jaselle Dejesus, 13, was happy to get involved in the project and said she was grateful for the chance to help others in the community.
“I am so glad to be able to do my part and be there for others. To think that people who have helped us are struggling is sad and I am grateful for their service to the country.”
Classmate Gabby Alvarez, also 13, added, “The Leadership Club is great because we get to give back, and I think that’s important. I believe that all veterans deserve the best treatment because they put their lives in danger for us. I wish more people helped them.”
On Friday, a group of about 30 students, along with Collins, will board a bus, donated by The GE Veterans Council, and head to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford and proudly deliver over 300 sets of socks, mittens and gloves to veterans who live at the facility.
The visit will include a two-hour chat session between the teens and the veterans, and end with a scenic bus tour of Concord.
“I am so glad to be helping a group of people who need us now,” said Kevin Martinez, 13. “It’s important to give back to them because they protected us without even hesitating. I think this a good way to say thank you.”
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