Every Day is Veteran's Day at St. John the Evangelist School in Streamwood
May 27, 2014
Public Relations Contact:
Mary Alice Benoit
Director of Communications
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
502 S. Park Blvd.
Streamwood, Il 60107
630-837-6500 Ext. 30
mbenoit@mystjohns.org
For Immediate Release:
Every Day is Veteran Day's at Streamwood School
St John the Evangelist Catholic School Honors Veterans Throughout the Year
It all started last November when Staff Sergeant Brian Bradley of Aurora came to St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Streamwood to participate in the History Channel's take a Veteran to School Program. Then in December, Specialist Michael Herbold of Elgin, shared what a soldier goes through in training and what they like to receive in care packages. In April, Sergeant Bryan Anderson of Rolling Meadows came to share how he received his Purple Heart and how he never gave up despite being gravely injured. Finally in May, Sergeant Jeremy Whyte, an Army veteran from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, talked about his three tours of duty in Iraq and helped to kick off the school USA Cares Campaign.
These are just some of the ways the students at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School have tried to make each and every day, a veteran's day. Led by second grade teacher, Kathryn Centena, St. John the Evangelist has embarked on a yearlong effort to make sure military men and women near and far are remembered for more than just one day. All veterans and solders are remembered in prayer each day, and there have been a series of service projects conducted throughout the year aimed at making soldiers stationed overseas feel right at home.
The school collected more than 120 pounds of candy to send to troops around the world. They collected over 40 boxes of Christmas cards and filled them out individually before sending them to military personnel away from home for the holidays. The fifth grade sent handmade Christmas cards and the first grade sent letters. The students have stayed in contact with their military visitors throughout the year via letters, emails and photos, and Sergeant Bryan Anderson even made the students a You Tube Video.
Most recently, the school launched a local USA Cares Campaign aimed at raising money to help the charity provide assistance to our nation's veterans. USA Cares is a not for profit organization that provides job and housing assistance to post 9/11 veterans and their families. Mrs. Centena wanted to finish the year with this fundraiser to honor all the veterans that have visited the school throughout the year and to honor her grandfathers, Paul Herwaldt. Sr., a WWII Veteran and Robert Fisher, a Korean War Veteran. The St. John the Evangelist USA Cares Campaign will last until the end of June. Donations may be made to USA Cares online at http://www.teamusacares.org.