FORT SILL, Okla. (March 5, 2014) -- Lawton Christian School's ninth-grade class donated $800 from a fundraising activity to the mother of a Fort Sill Marine, who was critically injured from a snake bite.
Marine Col. Wayne Harrison, and Sgt. Maj. Keith Coombs, Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment commander, and [command] sergeant major respectively, received the check from twins Jasmine and Jordan Johnson, ages 15, Feb. 26, at the school's gymnasium in front of the student body.
LCS teacher Kevin Bar made the fundraiser a class project so students could learn business skills, life skills and learn to pay it forward.
"Our school and our kids have a heart to give back to those who need," Bar said, during the assembly. "When I presented the opportunity to the kids, there was no question -- they wanted to give back."
Marine 2nd Lt. Anthony Kemp, 23, was bitten Feb. 7, by a 6- to 8-foot rattlesnake during a hike in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Despite prompt medical evacuation, he lost part of a leg because of the severity of the injury. His mother, Michelle Magrino, made the trip from New York to Oklahoma to be with her son for the procedure.
Harrison thanked the students and said the money will go a long way helping Magrino for her out-of-pocket expenses to fly and lodge in Oklahoma. He said he spoke to her recently.
"She was extremely appreciative, and she wants you all to know that," Harrison said. "She's going to write you."
Despite the tragedy, the story is that the LCS "Crusaders" did something special, and gave back to their military and to the Kemp family, Harrison said.
Student Tucker McKee, 15, said the 20-plus ninth-grade class was split into two companies for the class project. Students held various positions in company, i.e., the Johnsons were the respective CEOs of their companies. The companies purchased food items, such as hot dogs and candy and resold them one weekend at Walmart and Harbor Freight Tools, as well as after school in the LCS lobby.
What did McKee learn from the project?
"Business is not easy," he said. "You have to have everybody working together."
Bar said this is the third year the students have pulled together to help the community. Last year, they assisted a local family whose house burned down, and in 2013, the students helped Moore (Okla.) tornado victims, he said.
Editor's note: Kemp is doing better and was well enough to be transported to a military hospital closer to his family, said Marine Lt. Col. Rick Rouse, Fort Sill MARDET executive officer.
.
Social Sharing