Dublin veterans give back with school supplies for local middle schoolers

Residents of Dublin VA nursing home donate backpacks filled with classroom essentials

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT) – Veterans from the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin delivered book bags to students at Dublin Middle School, to thank them for visiting them at their nursing home.

The veterans filled the book bags with many classroom necessities, such as notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, crayons, hand sanitizer, and hand wipes.

Retired U.S. Public Health Service veteran Joann Smith says it warms her heart to give back. “It’s a joy! I feel as if everybody needs a good start. It’s nothing like the first day of school, and I thought it was a good opportunity to show them they can do it,” said Smith.

United States Marine Corps veteran Keith Walker says it’s an honor to present students with supplies. “I feel proud because giving back to the community lets us continue to do our service,” said Walker.

Students feel the love

8th grader Cayden Dardy, was one student gifted supplies, and says it means a lot. “It feels amazing to have people come back to our community and give to us. It fills me with joy to know they do all these things for us,” said Dardy.

7th grader Winter Batts says she’s grateful because some kids don’t always have what they need. “Some people go to school, and they have no supplies, and just to know they give us some, it’s really amazing, and we love that,” said Batts.

The veterans told 41NBC News that this exchange isn’t to pay the students back, but to ensure they have what they need to have a successful and fulfilled school year.