When Frontier Elementary School Safety Patrol co-sponsors Olga Vidal and Sherrie Dulany saw on the news that the graves of more than 33,000 U.S. service members in Arlington and other national cemeteries across the United States would not receive holiday wreaths this year because of a $500,000 shortage in funds, they knew Frontier students would want to help out.
“Every year, Arlington National Cemetery is a key point of our patrol trip to Washington, D.C. I knew our students would want to help out,” Vidal said.
Frontier Safety Patrols decided to use some of their D.C. trip fundraising money to purchase a wreath in honor of Frontier’s very own Navy veteran, fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Eddy, who served in Desert Storm.
Dulany then e-mailed all patrol members and their families, encouraging them to donate $15 to purchase one wreath. Student Council Sponsor Marisa Hopkins jumped on board and purchased a wreath from the Frontier Student Council.
“We fund raise for many activities that enhance the learning of the students at Frontier,” Hopkins said. “But donating money to this cause is something all of our students can truly be proud of.”
Fifth grade patrols members Jackson and McKinley Harding purchased a wreath in honor of their grandparents.
“My Pop-Pop served in the Air Force and my Papa is a World War II expert. I knew both of them would be proud to help out with this,” Jackson Harding said.
“It makes me happy to help honor people who fought for our country,” added McKinley Harding.
Wreaths can still be purchased by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now.
ABOVE: Veteran and teacher Jennifer Eddy with Jackson and McKinley Harding and Frontier Student Council Sponsor Marisa Hopkins.
