Laurel Highlands Today

County of Fayette issued the following announcement on Jan. 10.

Members of the Albert Gallatin High School Cross Country Team donated backpacks full of essentials to local veterans in need.

Uniontown, PA - Members of the Albert Gallatin High School Cross Country Team spent the holidays giving back to their community in a big way.  

Hannah and Caidan Brumley, Landen Heater, Emma Rubenstein, Lily Mick and Brock Mace, along with their families and Coach Joe Thomas, donated 27 backpacks full of essentials to the Fayette County Veteran Affairs Office, to be distributed to local veterans in need.  

“Some of our local veterans are going through tough times,” Fayette County Veteran Affairs Director Brian Bensen said. “These backpacks contain items like a warm blanket, hygiene gear and other helpful things. Just as important - these were made by our local youth. In a time where some people are losing faith, this tells me our future is in good hands.”  

Caidan Brumley, 15, said the group of friends and teammates was inspired to take on a community service project after years of volunteering at their local fire department with his grandmother, former firefighter Cheryl Brumley, and for other local causes. The kids connected with Bensen’s office through their participation in Albert Gallatin’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Program.  

“They wanted to do something as a group to give back, and Brian said he had needy vets,” Cheryl Brumley said. “The kids thought if they could fill backpacks with things these vets might need, they’d have them for the winter.”  

The backpacks included such items as first aid kits; flashlights; hygiene items; tshirts; thermal clothing; cough drops; blankets; hand warmers; chapstick and more. The students funded, shopped for, assembled and delivered the backpacks themselves.  

“It was important to me because most of my family members are veterans, and it was something that needed done in our community,” Caidan Brumley said. “It felt good that we were able to give back.”

For more information about the Albert Gallatin School District, visit www.agasd.org.  

To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.FayetteCountyPA.org.  

Editor's Note: Photo attached (AG Cross Country Team Veterans Donation)

 Pictured from left to right: Hannah Brumley, Landen Heater, Fayette County Chief Veterans’ Service Officer Glenn Siple, Caidan Brumley and Emma Rubenstein. Not pictured: Lily Mick and Brock Mace.

This communication is part of the Fayette County PR Initiative, which is funded through the Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) and Hotel Tax Grants in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA. 

For more information, contact Kristi Rooker Kassimer, Public Relations Specialist, at 412-691-0262, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info or Kaylie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.   

Original source can be found here.