BRANDON, S.D. (KELO) — A local high school is challenging its students to step up for Veterans.
It’s a campaign to collect hygiene products, not votes, this Election Day at Brandon Valley High School.
“Toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner,” Brandon Valley social studies teacher Jeremy Risty said.
Jeremy Risty is a social studies teacher and says the items are part of the school’s service project in recognition of Veterans Day.
“Veterans give so much of their time and effort and energy and in some cases bodies to our country that we wanted to help them in any way we can,” Risty said.
The donated items benefit the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls, which provides tiny houses to homeless veterans.
“The Veterans Community Project is all about creating tiny homes and so now we need to help them live in those homes,” Risty said.
“I think it’s just good to give back to them because they’ve given so much,” Brandon Valley senior Ivy Uken said.
Ivy Uken is a senior. Her sociology class helped create the donation boxes and posters. She says the importance of the project has hit home.
“We watched a video and they don’t have a lot anymore and it was really kind of hard to see because they gave so much to us that I thought they should have homes and stuff and some of them don’t even have that,” Uken said.
Whatever the final tally of the service project, local Veterans win.
“It’s just a very simple way for us to say thank you to them,” Risty said.
Donations will be accepted through Thursday.
Brandon Valley will host a Veterans Day assembly this Thursday at 9:35 a.m. inside the activities center. The event is free and open to the public.
