John Hersey Honors Soldiers. Sgt. Jason Smith

Posted December 04, 2014 10:00 pm

Carolyn Niersbach

John Hersey High School is working together with Steps2Hope for Jason's New Journey. On Veterans Day, we began our mission to help build wounded warrior Jason Smith a handicapped-accessible home.

On July 25, 2012 while serving in Afghanistan, Sgt. Jason Smith stepped on a pressure plate IED. Jason sustained multiple injuries and lost both of his legs. He has been waging a new battle ever since; one of regaining his health, one of learning to walk again, and one to create a new future for

himself. Jason is now headed back to school to

learn new skills in order to provide for his new family.

Life is a challenge for everyone, but it can be especially challenging for a returning soldier who finds basic mobility to now be a lifetime issue. The Steps2Hope organization is committed to helping young

adults who are faced with life-changing loss of mobility from traumatic events.

The student body itself has coordinated many fundraising events throughout the next couple of weeks. The girls Track team will be hosting a Gingerbread House decorating competition, DECA will be conducting a Bake-A-Thon and selling their homemade treats during lunch hours, Student Government is seeking donations at sporting events, boys Basketball will be running a Hoops for Hero's contest, the Speech team will run a photo booth at their next competition and many more clubs are in early planning stages for future events. We hope our generous community will support our efforts.

Here's how you can help!

Steps2Hope, John Hersey High School and the surrounding D214 Community are coming along side of Jason to honor his service, courage, dedication and drive to make a positive contribution in the

community and nation he lives in and so selfishly fought to preserve. Please consider donating now to Steps2Hope's next project of building a new home for Jason and his beautiful family.

Make your Donation Today!

1) Text: S2H To: 88588

(Text2Donate via Credit Card)

2) Donate online at http://steps2hope.com

Click on Jason's New Journey!

3) Donate by check made payable to:

Steps2Hope

(include: Jason's New Journey on check)

please mail or return to:

John Hersey High School

Attn: Main Office

1900 E. Thomas St.

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Thank you for supporting Jason's New Journey!

On December 19th, Jason will visit Hersey to speak to us about service leadership, patriotism, and gratitude. We hope that our community can do its best to help him heal and to thank him for his service to our country.

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