Hopewell Junior Plants Field of Flags for Veterans
Hopewell Junior Plants Field of Flags for Veterans
This Veteran’s Day, Hopewell Junior School is one of the first Ohio schools to pilot a national program that honors local veterans and raises funds to support injured American heroes. Called “Field of Flags” and hosted by the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the service learning opportunity builds on classroom learning about Veteran’s Day.
“I am always looking for community service opportunities for our Student Council,” said Hopewell history teacher and Student Council advisor Tracey Parks. “I brought up ‘Field of Flags’ and they embraced it 100%. Many of them have family members who have served or currently serve in the military.”
The group immediately went to work on brainstorming ideas to promote the program, which challenges individuals to donate just $10 to sponsor a single flag. In the final “field of flags” planted by the host group, each flag represents “a veteran and our unwavering commitment to serving all veterans after they’ve sacrificed so much for our country,” wrote Laura Benken Rusche, DAV’s fundraising marketing manager.
In addition to taking advantage of Hopewell’s normal communication channels, the students made appearances on morning announcements and committed to collecting donations at the last home football game and the first band concert. The $400 they collected at these events, paired with online donations, amounted to almost $1,200 - enough to plant 140 flags in the school’s front lawn.
“They quickly learned that being confident and having clear communication skills were key to their success,” said Parks of her students who had to approach families, explain the role of the DAV and ask for donations to help reach their goal.
“I am very proud of their efforts. As a 12- or 13-year-old, I would not have had the self-assurance to solicit donations,” Parks continued.
Every dollar raised through the fundraiser supports the local chapter of DAV and its no-cost programs and services offered to Ohio’s 725,000-plus veterans.
“It’s important to not turn our backs on people who have done so much for us,” reflected Hopewell eighth-grader Delaney Finch, adding that the project was especially important to her as someone who had lost her grandfather in combat.
“We would write letters before, but this allows us to truly change peoples’ lives,” added eighth-grader Sara McGuire.
Seventh-grader Marielle Rose sees the project’s biggest impact being its lasting impression on young people. She explained that our respect toward veterans will have a direct impact on future generations’ willingness to support their country through military service.
Flags can still be purchased via Hopewell’s Field of Flags website.