The Vietnam Veterans of America are considering creating a veterans memorial in White Sulphur Springs. Designs are in the planning stage and the VVA members will vote on the memorial design, that will include the names of fallen local veterans, during the next meeting in January. Benefactors have come forward offering funds, materials and services, including landscaping, excavating services, flagpoles and more.
The vets are not only considering building a veterans memorial, but are also considering the needs of area communities. VVA members gathered a generous amount of items for the North Central West Virginia Community Action’s donation campaign, which collects personal items for homeless vets. Several VVA members also got together to replace damaged ceiling tiles in the home of an aging veteran in Monroe County.
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Two local elementary school students got early Christmas presents compliments of Greenbrier East High School student clubs and local organizations. Leighlyn Trainer and Andrew Reynolds received hand-powered bikes, made for children with a medical condition where stiffness in their joints affects their ability to use their legs.
“It touches my heart to see what these people did for us. You know, Andrew, he misses a lot out of life. But this will make it more normal for him,” said Roger Reynolds, Andrew’s dad.
“Really, really, really excited, surprised, shocked, wasn’t expecting it,” said Leighlyn. “It is an awesome Christmas present.”
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As an annual donation from Eakle Chapel and Whatcoat Church, childrens’ pajamas were donated to White Sulphur Springs Elementary School. The pajamas are provided to students who need them when the school has its Pajama Day.