Over the past two months, students and faculty members at Campobello-Gramling School (CGS) have shown just how much they care by giving back to others.

In November, students in grades K4 through eighth came together, along with the staff, to collect more than 2,500 canned food items.

The items were sent to three local food pantries to help those in need.

On Veterans Day, everyone in the school began making Christmas cards for veterans.

Sixth grader Sandy Blom said, “I like making the veterans happy when they get the cards.”

All the hard work paid off when the final count came to be 4,500 cards that are sure to brighten Christmas for many people.

More than 500 additional cards were made to be sent to active troops stationed overseas along with care packages.

The Christmas card program began three years ago.

Students saw that soldiers come home from war, wounded and scared physically and mentally. On the holidays, they sit alone feeling unappreciated for risking their lives to keep the United States safe.

Ashby and Abbi Cartee saw this in their grandfather, and knew that something had to be done.

So with their ideas and the help of a teacher, David Whitaker, and the support of their school, Ashby and Abbi started a Purple Heart and Veterans Day Christmas card program.

Every year, the school sets a bigger goal for the number of cards, and the students always find a way to surpass it with ease. This year, with a goal of 3,500, the students, K-4 through eighth grades, made 4,500 Christmas cards.

As eighth grader at CGS and friend of Ashby’s, Foster Bridges said, “It’s nice to know we’re putting a smile on our veterans’ faces.”

All in all, everyone at CGS has done an excellent job portraying December’s character trait of the month, caring.

– article submitted by
Coleman Walker and Zoe Fogle, Campobello-Gramling School