Kidder Elementary students raise money for Veteran Companion Animal Services as part of "fill the flag" fundraiser

BRUNSWICK — For the third year, Kidder Elementary School students are raising money to support veterans through a "fill the flag" fundraising campaign, which benefits Veteran Companion Animal Services. According to Brunswick Schools, students started collecting donations for the initiative on Monday and will continue until Veterans Day. Classroom flags are filled with stars and stripes to represent the amount of money collected. Kidder students also put on a patriotic concert for their families and local veterans on Friday amid their fundraiser. Army veteran and Veteran Companion Animal Services President Josh Duran was in attendance at the concert. He said his organization connects dogs with veterans and covers the costs associated with the dog for the first year. More than 30 dogs will be placed with veterans this year. "We're helping these veterans who have come home, and maybe they don't have the best support network," he said. "We're providing them with a dog that's there 24/7, 365, to give them support, unconditional love and help them regain some of that structure." At Kidder, students have raised more than $3,400 over the past two years combined. Crestview Elementary joined the initiative last year and raised $2,000, and Applewood Elementary is collecting dog supplies for Veteran Companion Animal Services this year. "What I love about this project is how it connects our students with real community needs while building important skills," Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer stated. "Our kids aren't just learning about veterans in a textbook. They're taking action to support them. They're communicating, problem-solving and showing responsibility by working toward a shared goal." The fundraiser is coordinated by Kidder music teacher Jeannette Timko. She led a similar fundraising initiative when she worked at Crestview where students raised more than $30,000 over 15 years for Honor Flight Cleveland, which flies veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their war memorial. "I'm especially grateful to Mrs. Timko for creating this meaningful experience that has become such an important tradition at Kidder Elementary," Niedermeyer stated. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.