East Panhandle Times

The Student Leadership group at Martinsburg South Middle School recently organized a donation drive to support veterans. The students collected money and essential items, which they presented to representatives from the VA Medical Center.

This initiative was part of the group's efforts to engage in community service. After deliberating on potential projects, the students chose to focus on aiding veterans. They launched a coin war among classes to raise funds and encouraged classmates to donate items like socks, toothbrushes, and soaps. These efforts resulted in approximately $300 and numerous bags of donated goods.

Members Cloey O’Shea, Cate Horner, Kelsey Hess, and Sali Amanaka expressed their motivation for participating in student leadership stemmed from friendships and a desire to contribute positively to their school environment. They emphasized the importance of supporting veterans due to their significant contributions.

“It’s important to give to those who served,” said Horner. “We have no idea where our country would be without them and their sacrifice.”

O’Shea added that many students have personal connections with veterans: “It went higher than we expected with everything we’ve received. We’re happy with what we were able to accomplish.”

During a presentation event on Tuesday morning, Principal Mark Barney commended the students' initiative: “They owned this,” he said. “They took the time to organize and collect this and decide who they were going to support."

Terry Stotler, chief of voluntary services at the VA Medical Center and an alumnus of South Middle School, expressed gratitude for the students' dedication: “I love it when it’s students who do this,” Stotler stated.

The donations will be delivered directly to veterans at the hospital by representatives from the VA Medical Center.