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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Student volunteers posed with local recruiters during the Veterans Dinner at Austintown Fitch High School on Feb. 5.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Local veterans were served dinner donated by ACME Steak and Seafood on Feb. 5 at the first Veterans Dinner hosted by the Students Serving Veterans group.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Veterans from around the area visited Austintown Fitch High School Feb. 5 for the schools first Veterans Dinner hosted by the Students Serving Veterans organization.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Local veterans enjoyed dinner at Austintown Fitch High School Feb. 5, hosted by the Students Serving Veterans organization.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Veteran Leo Connelly and his wife Doreen Connelly enjoyed dinner at Austintown Fitch High School which was hosted by the Students Serving Veterans group Feb. 5.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Doreen Connelly is served a piece of cake by a member of the Students Serving Veterans group at Austintown Fitch High School Feb. 5.
By JESSICA HARKER
Members of the Students Serving Veterans organization at Austintown Fitch High School hosted the second annual Veterans Dinner at the school on Feb. 5.
More than 70 local veterans were invited to the event, with 41 attending.
Student members of the group, organized by Special Education Director Kristen O’Neill, ran the event, serving veterans dinner and providing dessert.
“We just wanted to set something up that was nice, a way to say thank you to the veterans in our area,” O’Neill said.
Veterans were served a pasta dinner donated by ACME Steak and Seafood.
“I just reached out to them and told them what the event was about, and he took care of it,” said Veteran Leo Connelly who attended the event and organized the donation. “That is pretty typical in Austintown.”
Connelly said that Austintown is one of the best communities when it comes to supporting veterans, especially the high school.
“They are very veteran friendly here.” Connelly said. “People want to know where their money is going, and as long as it is to a good cause they are very generous.”
The event also received support from Greg Greenwood, who donated $250 to help the students purchase food, drinks and desserts according to O’Neill.
“The community has been fantastic, we always receive all the help we need when we put on events like this,” she said.
Students Serving Veterans members provided desserts they baked themselves.
Senior members of the Students Serving Veterans group also were able to use the event as their senior project.
“We had a great turn out this year, and we hope to keep the tradition going for years to come,” O’Neill said.