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Logan Elm students honored for huge donation to veterans

The Herald - 3/17/2018

CIRCLEVILLE- Logan Elm High School and Middle School students have been honored by Military Veterans Resource Center for their efforts in donating food to veterans in need.

Len Proper, executive director for Military Veterans Resource Center, spoke to the students about their donation and what it means for Ohio's veterans to receive the 2,260 lbs. of food.

"I really want you to know just how important your work is and what you did here," he told the students. "When we started asking schools and companies to do food drives, we didn't know what kind of a response we'd get. In most cases the results are pretty modest-and then there's Logan Elm. Two thousand, two hundred and sixty pounds of food that you donated last November is more than twice what any other school or business donated last year."

In response to that effort, Military Veterans Resource Center created the Spirit of Ohio award for Logan Elm's support of veterans and their families. Proper then presented a small plaque to both the High School and Middle School Student Council leaders.

"We created this award just for you," Proper said. "You were so far above and beyond, we felt like we had to recognize Logan Elm. Thank you for your work, which gives us this privilege to present this award to you."

Proper said they take food and cash donations, and it expands the number of meals they deliver.

"That helps us fill a lot of empty bellies," he said. "Last year we delivered over 60,000 meals to veterans and their families. This year we'll increase it and we couldn't do it without people like you. There's a limit on how much money we can raise and we need people to go the extra mile like you have."

Proper said there are 50,000 children that go hungry and told the story of one child he encountered and was able to help.

"We were working with a food bank and we had a family come in to get some food," he said. "We offered a peach to a 10-year-old and the child said, 'I'm sorry I can't take it, it's not my day to eat.' They had so little food in the family that each family member would not eat one day. That's the kind of impact you have. You may look at it as just a can of beans or a can of corn but it's lifesaving to a lot of families."

Todd Huffman, veterans benefit advisor, said the donation meant a lot to him and the veterans whom the students helped.

"The students took something that we brought to them for our veterans and went over the top with it," he said. "Logan Elm is my alma mater and I'm really proud. To know that one of our schools in Pickaway County outdid everyone else by a mile is overwhelming and I'm appreciative they put that effort forward."

Huffman said they deliver food to 14 families in Pickaway County currently, but it's been as many as 25 in the past.

"It's meant to be a relief to help people get to the next step, get out the door and get back on track to helping themselves," he said. "We do have a lot of people that do this every week and we appreciate you guys. For any school to take it to this level is overwhelming. Thank you."

Proper said the food will be used locally.

"There are people right here in need and, thanks to you, we're able to help them," he said.

Nate Smith, LEHS principal said Logan Elm's mission of "Being a Brave" includes giving back.

"I can't think of a better organization to give back to than their organization and the work they do," he said. "It's been a big mission for all of our student groups to do some give back things, even if it's just going to the nursing home for an evening. It's been a big push of ours to have our students following through with that."

Smith said the students were able to do what they did, thanks to some outside help from local businesses that gave matching donations.

"The Youngs and Young's Family Market help us a lot," he said. "We are basically able to buy food through them at a crazy discount. They're a big help and partner in this."

Marsha Waidelich, McDowell Middle School principal, said she thinks this is an example of the students becoming good citizens.

"We work really hard to develop a sense of community and community service," she said. "I think it shows the lessons they've learned from Elementary School to when they get here in Middle School have really paid off, and that we're raising a good group of young students in our community."