The winter gear fundraiser for Verona crossing guards started by an H.B. Whitehorne student really delivered today, and not a minute too soon. Several of Verona’s 33 guards came to the Verona Police station to pick up extra warm gloves that had been donated by the snowboard maker Burton and hats purchased from REI thanks to a fundraiser supported by several Verona businesses.
Earlier this winter, HBW seventh grader Austin Frank wrote to many winter gear companies to tell them about a project he started to raise money to buy winter gear for the crossing guards. He and his dad, Nick Frank, bought light-up pens and placed them for sale in several Verona businesses, including Frank Anthony’s Restaurant, JT’s Barber Shop, Miele’s Restaurant, Lakeside Deli, American Dry Cleaners and Terry’s Pharmacy.
The pens are $10 each and they’ve generated more than $1,000 for the fundraiser so far. Austin Frank has been making presentations to civic groups like the Verona Lion’s Club and Junior Woman’s Club to see what more can be done for the guards and other people in Verona who need help staying warm this winter.
The middle schooler took time out of his classes today to invite one very special guard out for lunch: Frank Meletti, whose health troubles inspired the fundraiser in the first place.
