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First Avenue Elementary students and staff delivered Christmas gifts to the Veterans hospital in Tucson last Wednesday. (l-r) Kimmy Kamerer, VA volunteer program support assistant, Danny Derrick, First Ave. maintenance, first graders Omar Urbalejo and Nicole Harper joined fifth graders Kiera Boulware and Isaac Jackson and First Ave. teacher Laurel Wilson in delivering gifts for Veterans to Jim Maino, VA volunteer.
First Avenue students and staff delivered more than six boxes of Christmas gifts and more than 200 hand written Christmas cards to Veterans at the Tucson VA hospital last Wednesday.
Gifts were donated by First Ave. families at their Winter Christmas Village Family Night and throughout the week, according teacher Deb Mansager.
The San Manuel Historical Society donated $150 for gifts and Cal Portland cement donated a box of 24 ball caps.
“We are very thankful for our community’s support of hospitalized Veterans,” said 5th-6th grade teachers Laurel Wilson and Deb Mansager.
First grade students, Nicole Harper and Omar Urbalejo traveled with fifth grade students Keira Boulware and Isaac Jackson to the Tucson VA hospital with Wilson and maintenance’s Danny Derrick to give the gifts.
Boulware and Jackson were chosen to deliver the gifts by their classmates because of their hard work, dedication and positive attitudes.
Veteran and volunteer coordinator Jim Maino said, “It is so great to see that patriotism is promoted and encouraged in San Manuel.”
The San Manuel party was given a tour of part of the hospital where many Veterans said that it was great to see the students.
“Tell the people of San Manuel thank you and hi, from Fred,” said a patient.
First Avenue students display some of the gifts and cards donated by San Manuel residents for Veterans at the Tucson Veterans hospital.
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