Veterans Day 2014: Serving Those Who Served

School was closed in many school districts across the country on November 11th, but rather than take the day off, hundreds of buildOn students from six of our program regions went out in their communities to do service in honor of Veterans Day. Leading up to the day, many also discussed veteran’s issues such as homelessness, sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and equal rights through in-school service learning.

These conversations touched on what we can all do to support returning veterans and honor our servicemen and women. Take a look at some of the ways that buildOn students turned support into action through their activities throughout the day.

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Students from Stamford, Connecticut helped bring awareness to hunger and homelessness, both of which impact many veterans. They wrote facts on the sidewalks at Westhill High School during a “Chalk for Change” event.

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buildOn’s first partner school in Boston and our newest program continues to forge relationships with organizations in their community. Students from the Community Academy for Science and Health volunteered with a community organization working with individuals transitioning out of homelessness as part of their Veteran’s Day service activities.
NYC_VetsDay One of our service partners captured buildOn students at work during a pre-vets day park cleanup in New York City.
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Junior ROTC students from buildOn serve lunch at a senior center in Chicago. Chicago students participated in multiple projects across the city including delivering care packages to veterans, cleaning veterans’ tombstones at a cemetery, serving and cooking breakfast at a veteran’s center, leading a game night and delivering handmade cards to the local Veterans Affairs hospital.
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New York City students work writing letters for veterans during a service project at the Hunts Point Recreation Center in the Bronx where students assembled care packages for servicemen and women.
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Philadelphia students participated in a number of service projects included getting to know veterans at the ACES Museum, a museum dedicated to honoring black and minority veterans. Others volunteered at a men’s shelter and learn about the ways that homelessness impacts their community, making cards and spending time visiting at a veteran’s center.
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In the Bay Area, buildOn students learned about Veteran’s Day and made cards for veterans, widows, and the elderly who have been impacted by war. They divided up to visit the VA and several elderly homes where students delivered cards, took seniors on walks, participated in games and other activities with the communities.
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Chicago buildOn students honored Veterans Day with service, cooking breakfast for seniors and sharing experiences of loved ones who served.