Local Student Wins National Award with Coupon Drive for Soldiers

Bethany Rivet wasn't always an extraordinary student.

As a ninth-grader at Burrillville High School, she didn't enjoy classes, and it showed in her grades. A clause in the school's union contract prohibited teachers from staying after school, so getting extra help proved to be a challenge.

That all changed when Rivet was accepted to the Health Careers program .

"This school has been a great thing for Beth," said Debra Bacon, Rivet's teacher for the past three years.

A senior at the vocational school, Rivet now excels in her studies and still has time for acting and recreational figure skating. But it is Rivet's dedication and high expectations for her senior project that really make her stand out.

The senior choose Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as her topic, an anxiety disorder common among soldiers returning from war. After visiting a VA Hospital, Rivet realized that many PTSD sufferers also had financial problems and sought a way to help.

"I know some of the guys coming back with PTSD don't have a lot of money," said Rivet. "There are financial issues there too."

Rivet organized a Support Our Troups Troopon drive at the school and collected more than 34,000 coupons during her month and a half long project, exceeding her own expectations and winning a national award for her efforts.

"It's something I care about," said Rivet of her project choice. "I wanted to see how the high school would respond to it."

The national program, run locally by Brenda Peloquin, president of Downey Weaver #34 of the Rhode Island American Legion Auxiliary, aims to enhance the well-being of overseas and domestic military families by sending them food, baby, and non-food manufacturer coupons.  The innovative project gives troops, often stationed in countries with unfavorable exchange rates, the chance to receive the same discounts they could get at home. 

Overseas military bases accept manufacturer coupons from the United States – even expired ones. Military families in the country, meanwhile, are not always able to afford the magazines and newspapers that provide the deals.

"Things at the base cost less, but not that much less," Rivet explained.

To start the drive, the senior had to visit every classroom at WACTC, then follow up with visits to collect the coupons each week.

"She has spent countless hours getting the project together," said Bacon. Three cutting events to process the coupons were held after school. Rivet contacted the American Legion Unit 43 and asked them to sponsor a pizza party for the class with the most participation. 

"She really had to put her heart and soul into it," said Bacon. "It was a huge commitment. I'm really proud of her."  

Rivet hopes that her work will inspire others to get involved in the Troopon project. "It doesn't cost people anything to participate," she explained.

To help out, simply clip manufacturers coupons (not deals for individual stores,) and mail them to Brenda Peloquin at 48 North Rd., Shannock, RI 02875. For more information, contact Peloquin at bpeloquin169@gmail.com or (401) 218-5390.