For the past 13 years, a VFW Post in the Hawkeye State has helped raise more than $60,000 for local eighth-grade students who participate in an annual trip to Washington, D.C. To do this, the Post enlists the students to work breakfasts twice a month.
In 2023, Post 1977 in Decorah, Iowa, raised more than $9,000 for 63 students who volunteered during breakfasts at the Decorah All Vets Club. Students this year will work on the first and third Sundays of each month during the school year.
“It doesn’t pay for their trip, but it’s money the parents don’t need to part with,” Post 1977 Quartermaster Mark Stockdale said to the Decorah Leader. “And they learn the value of working hard, and I enjoy working with young adults — giving them directions and teaching them what they need to know.”
Eighth-grade students who participate learn food service tasks and etiquette. Students serve food, bus tables and wash dishes. Stockdale also highlighted the importance of challenging work and mentorship that could help them with jobs in the future.
“Bringing in eighth-grade kids to work a breakfast has many benefits — not just for the kids but for us as well,” Stockdale said to the Leader. “The eighth graders provide us with great support in that they work the breakfasts, and they learn skills they can use throughout their lives.”
This article is featured in the 2024 October issue of Checkpoint. If you're a VFW member and don't currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.