For the ninth consecutive year, officials from the Pittsburgh Veterans Administration Hospital made the 40-minute drive to Penn-Trafford High School to receive a busload of donations to distribute to the veterans.
Tony Lesesne, the hospital’s Voluntary Services Supervisor, accepted a $500 check from the students which was raised through donations by the High School Band’s Veterans Concert and by the Community Action Program (CAP) membership. He was also given a large stack of homemade greeting cards which were made by the students of Carol Palmer’s class. Additional donations included over 40 boxes of personal care items, clothing, shoes, puzzle/word search books, reading glasses, snacks, and canned goods.
Mike Doherty, Voluntary Specialist for the hospital, has kept a record of PT’s donations since 2013 and is confident that this year the cumulative total will top $100,000. He found it particularly interesting that even in 2020 during the time that schools were virtual, the students donated generously.
Alan Petrazzi, Assistant Director for the VA Pittsburgh, commended the students for their efforts to collect the donations, stating “On behalf of our entire leadership team, thank you so much Penn-Trafford for all that you’ve done to support those who served and those who are serving those who served.”
Many groups at the high school participated in the food drive, which was spearheaded by the National Honor Society and CAP. Some teachers also encouraged students to bring in items requested by the VA Hospital, including Mr. Edgerly, Marine Veteran, Mrs. Alba, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Rizzardi, and Mrs. Palmer. Preschoolers in Mrs. Cuccaro’s program also participated.
“The Veterans Drive allows us to show respect and honor to those who have served our country,” stated CAP President Maura Suman. “With another successful year, the students and staff of Penn-Trafford pitched in with generous donations. We do this for everything the veterans have done for us.”