DuVall Teacher, Students Again Shower Veterans with Gifts

DEARBORN, MI – On Friday, veterans who fought for Americans’ freedom and served their countries will meet face to face with some the youngest beneficiaries of their sacrifices.

For the 26th consecutive year, second graders from Dearborn’s DuVall Elementary will pass out fruit baskets and comfort items to patients in Detroit’s John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.

Their visit takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday. They’ll be led by their teacher and project organizr, Joanne Strez, and will get help from parents and other volunteer to distribute more than 1,500 baskets filled with food and personal care items to the soldiers.

“Since I was young, my parents always spoke about how much people used to have to sacrifice when the country was at war,” Strez said in a news release. “Nowadays, it seems as if many people forget the men and women that are serving our country every day.

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“I feel that it’s important to honor the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country’s safety,” she said. “My father was a veteran as well, so they’ve always held a special place in my heart.”

Strez began the initiative in 1990 while teaching at Dearborn’s Woodworth Middle School. A parent suggested it might be nice project for the class, and students visited patients and distributed a small supply of items.

Strez knew then she wanted to expand the project and give future students the opportunity to connect with veterans.

Since then, community donations of fruit and comfort items for the soldiers, as well as volunteer participation. have increased significantly, benefiting a much larger population of the hospital.

Also as part of the veterans appreciation effots, Purple Heart volunteers will take fruit trays to Detroit’s Piquette Square, an apartment project for homeless veterans, and parents will also distribute items at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s Freedom Center, a hospitality center in the airport for traveling Armed Forces.

The school community, including former students and parents, have also been a tremendous help in decorating cards and trays for the fruit and toiletries, Strez said.

It’s an exciting day every year for the hospital’s patients, as well as the students, she said, noting that many of the recipients have written thank-you cards over the years and volunteered time to speak with classes to show appreciation for the school’s efforts.

“It’s amazing to be able to teach these young children about our country’s heroes and how important they are to many of the nation’s historical celebrations,” Strez said. “I’ve had several students come back and say that this was the best field trip that they had ever experienced. It’s an incredibly moving and memorable event for everyone involved.”

For the past couple months, the class and community have been collecting donations of several items including produce, toiletries, combs/brushes, journals, craft supplies, playing cards, paperback books, DVDs, socks and board games, among other necessities.

Local businesses such as Harry Miller Florist, Dearborn Farm Market, Dearborn Fresh, Super Greenland and Papaya, along with Eastern Market proprietors La Piccolo Brothers, Del Bene, Ciaramitaro Produce, and Roscoe and Horkey Farms have been instrumental in pulling the effort together, among other supporters.

“The kindness Mrs. Strez, her students and the community have shown our patients is truly admirable and greatly appreciated,” William R. Browning, chief of volunteer and community relations for John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, said in a news release. “It’s a heartwarming experience every time the children come to visit. The veterans light up as soon as they see the kids’ faces. You can genuinely see how much the interaction means to them.”

To donate or volunteer with the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, please visit the website or call (313) 576-3332. If you would like to get involved with Joanne Strez’s efforts, please email strezj@dearbornschools.org.