David Perdue Elementary collecting nutritional drinks in memory of two students lost to cancer

Since 2016, the drive has donated more than 12,300 bottles of Boost and Ensure to the Cancer Care Center.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – David Perdue Elementary School is holding its annual donation drive for nutritional drinks, such as Boost and Ensure, in honor of two students, McKenzie Brooks and Aiden Rozier, who died from cancer.

David Perdue Elementary School Principal Dr. Andy Payne says this drive is not only to give back, but to remember the bright lights they lost.

“We said, look, we have these two students who impacted our lives,” he said. “People always say teachers impact students’ lives, and we do. Whether you’re a principal, teacher, custodian, you impact students’ lives, but they impact ours as well, and McKenzie and Aiden impacted our lives.”

He says this drive has helped many cancer patients.

“The first year we raised a few hundred, which was great, because any amount is fantastic,” he said. “So, over the years since 2016, we have donated over 12,300 bottles of nutritional drinks to the Cancer Care Center. Last year we donated 2,600 bottles, a couple of years ago 3,000 were donated, and one year 700 bottles were donated. Every bottle counts.”

Payne says McKenzie and Aiden had two different personalities, but the one thing they had in common was their strength to keep going.

“McKenzie was quiet at times,” he said. “She loved gymnastics, so she was outgoing. But when she got cancer, her mom took her to the appointments, kept her home, and brought her to school. Aiden was the opposite; he was the life of the party. McKenzie decided not to have her leg amputated; Aiden did. They both impacted us because we learned different ways to handle a tough event.”

He says this drive will continue as long as he’s principal.

“I think that’s really when the donations really started picking up, because people realized we’re not just doing this for the cancer center, we’re remembering two students who impacted our community and lives,” he said.

If you want to help, you can donate drinks directly to the school, located at 115 Sutherlin Drive in Warner Robins.