Chatterton Students Raise Money For Veteran's Housing

Embodying a spirit of selflessness and patriotism, students at Chatterton School presented U.S. Navy veteran Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim Birckhead with a donation of more than $1,200 to help provide him with a new home through Homes for Our Troops. The contribution was made possible by the determination of fourth-grader Carter Tenenbaum.

According to its website, Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans, helping to restore some of the freedom and independence they sacrificed while defending the country.

After seven years of service, Birckhead was unable to continue serving after being diagnosed with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, a debilitating condition that affects the peripheral nervous system.

Hearing about the cause from his mother’s job on “The View,” Carter was inspired by the organization’s mission to help veterans rebuild their lives. Earlier in the year, the fourth-grader proposed an idea to the student council about hosting a school-wide fundraiser that would contribute to the building of Birckhead’s home. Everyone loved the idea, and together they spent months planning the event. For the two weeks leading up to the assembly, Carter and student council members sold camouflage dog tags, raising a total of $1,260.

Birckhead and his family visited Chatterton on March 22 for the school’s Homes for Our Troops assembly. Making it a day trip, they visited Carter’s classroom to share Birckhead’s journey and had lunch with Carter and the student council. Later that afternoon, students, teachers, administrators, “The View” co-host Sara Haines and Carter’s mother, Robin Hommel, gathered in the gymnasium for the ceremony where Birckhead accepted the school’s donation.

“I was filled with joy when I received the news of what an amazing 9-year-old named Carter wanted to do for a cause that is dear to my heart,” said Birckhead. “Words cannot explain how grateful I am for Chatterton School’s actions and love.”

Photos: Merrick School District