Holley Middle School raises $2,400 for the troops

At the Albion Wal-Mart store, Holley eighth graders accept a check for $1,000, which they in-turn donated to help area soldiers and their families. The students also raised $1,400 on their own. Shown are: (l-r, front) Community Involvement Coordinator Kelly Irwin, Middle School Principal Susan Cory, Merchandise Supervisor Kevin Bropst, Kristy Spencer, Justin Servais, Samantha Dunn and Store Manager Albert Green; (back) Jason Kruger, Amanda Buzard, Tom Thurley, Julie Brooks, Angelina Vicens, Kelsey Smith, and teacher Julie Judge. Provided photo.

Holley Middle School raises $2,400 for the troops

Holley eighth graders didn't just talk about supporting the troops; they went out and did something about it.

After a field trip to see the movie Freedom Writers, the students decided they wanted to find a way to make a difference. The movie is based on Erin Gruwell's best-seller "The Freedom Writer's Diaries: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them."

After voting on the cause they'd like to support, students decided to organize a lock-in as a way to raise money at both the community and national level. The students wrote letters and made phone calls which brought in donations of 20 pizzas and subs for the event. They arranged for 30 teachers and parents to chaperone and got the Army National Guard to set up a display of military vehicles. In all, the event brought in $1,400 from each student donating $7 to attend, plus donations from the community.

Then the students decided to take the project one step further by applying for a $1,000 grant, which they received from the Albion Wal-Mart store.

The eighth grade class recently took $400 of that money and gave it to the Family Readiness Group of the Alpha Company 427th Battalion of the National Guard. This money will be used to support the families of soldiers who are fighting the war in Iraq. The remaining $2,000 is being donated to the Orleans County Joint Veteran Council, which disburses money to 14 different veterans organizations in Orleans County.

The students made giant checks to present to representatives from each organization at the school's awards ceremony on June 8. "To the eighth grade class, I'd like to say 'thank you' for all of your hard work," said teacher Julie Judge at the ceremony. "You did make a difference! You did improve your life and the lives of those around you."

Judge was awarded the Holley Central School District's Soaring to New Heights Award at the June 18 Board of Education meeting for her work in helping the eighth grade class organize the event.