Kindness Goes A Long Way
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
February 25, 2022
This week, I presented the Strength of South Dakota Award to the Fred Assam Elementary School Student Council, students, and staff in Sioux Fall, South Dakota. The Strength of South Dakota Award was created to celebrate and honor South Dakotans that display unusual perseverance, compassion, and innovation, and are beloved by their community.
The Fred Assam Elementary Student Council challenged all students to “penny wars” during the month of January as a service project to support the Midwest Honor Flight. The Honor Flight is a program that flies World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials and meet with their elected officials. The trip serves as a way to thank and honor veterans for their sacrifice and service to our nation.
The student council started the fundraiser with the goal of raising enough money to support three veterans’ trips to our nation’s capital. By the end of the month, the school had raised enough money to send six local veterans to Washington, D.C. The Midwest Honor Flight estimates the cost of one veteran’s trip to be worth $753. The Fred Assam students raised over $3,500 for their local veterans.
Now that is kindness. The Fred Assam elementary students’ actions serve as a reminder to all of us of how a little bit of effort by a few people can positively impact the lives of those around you.
On Thursday, I had the honor of meeting these students and presenting the student council, staff, and students the Strength of South Dakota Award. We were joined by local veterans and members of the public. The show of support for these students and our veterans was phenomenal. I am proud to represent such bright, generous, and thoughtful students. I know our futures and our world are in good hands with them.
If you or a veteran you know would like to join the Midwest Honor Flight, you can learn more about the program and apply here: https://www.midwesthonorflight.org/veterans.html
###