VFW pays off lunch tabs

Hilliard veterans paid off lunchroom balances at two schools last week. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10095 Commander Dave Lewis said that the veterans voted to foot the balances at Hilliard Elementary and Hilliard Middle-Senior High School Dec. 11. 

The next day, HMSHS Principal Tammy Johnson was greeted with the news around 9 a.m. Lewis, Quartermaster Joe Wright and post member Jerrid Posey were on hand to present a check for $350. The amount was more than enough to cover the $332 balance due. 

“What a wonderful surprise to be a recipient of a gift like this,” Johnson said. “I think our kids will be excited.” 

The veterans wanted to give back and help reduce any stressors that area families might be feeling during the holidays. 

“This time of year is the giving season,” Lewis said. “Us at the VFW decided we’d focus on the kids in the community. We didn’t want the kids to have the burden of a delinquent balance. And we just wanted to let them know that we’re here for them.” 

Johnson joined the men and the cafeteria staff in the lunchroom for the presentation. 

Food Service Manager Jeannie Hess expressed thanks, saying, “I think the kids are very blessed to have the veterans support them. We support them too, and we’re very thankful for their service. God is good.” 

Wright said the veterans were inspired to reach out after they heard that business owners in Camden County had paid off lunch balances in their area schools. 

“We want the same for our community,” he added. “We want them to know that we’re here and they don’t have to hold their head down in the lunch line.”

 According to school policy, children who don’t have lunch money or have outstanding balances still receive a standard lunch. 

At HES, students often put fruit or other packaged items they don’t eat into a share box for children who may not have money to buy it but desire to eat a little something extra, according to Principal Lee Ann Jackson. 

The veterans wrote a check to the elementary school for $200. It covers an outstanding lunchroom balance of $199.71. 

“I’m very appreciative,” Jackson said. “It’s great that we have a community that supports and cares about their school and their students. That’s what it’s all about.” HES Cafeteria Manager Michele Ivey was equally grateful.

“We’re just thankful that everybody’s looking out for the kids,” she said. “We always appreciate our veterans for many, many reasons.”