Divine Redeemer Catholic School raises donations for soldiers returning home

It’s time to “help a hero,” and thanks to the Divine Redeemer Catholic School community in Colorado Springs, soldiers won’t be returning home from deployment empty-handed.

The small but mighty community was able to donate more than $6,500 in items needed at Warrior Warehouse. This will help young soldiers who are coming home from deployment.

Principal Kari Smith said, “Sheets, towels, blankets, comforters, snacks, shower curtains, shower rings, things like that. Stuff that will when they come back home will make their stuff a little homier.”

Tuesday, an assembly was held to bless the donations that were received before the school loaded all of the items into a truck.

Abigail Workman is a third-grader at Divine Redeemer, she has personally helped set up the barracks for soldiers returning home and says these donations are needed.

“Because they come home to a really plain room and this helps it make it more comfortable,” said Workman.

Cesar Henao is a seventh-grader, he said he was shocked and surprised by the number of donations, but was happy to see what they were able to accomplish.

Henao said, “They have uncomfortable beds, we are sleeping in wealthy beds, so they need something a little softer so they can get a good night sleep.”

Pastor Brian Roeseler said they do a project like this every year, and it’s a great teaching moment for the students.

“Being a servant leader,” said Roeseler. “Whether it be through the military, through the church, through their jobs, through their families. Just serving others as we know the military serves our country and hopefully, the church serves other people as well.”

Divine Redeemer was hoping to donate 1,000 items; they aren’t yet sure if they accomplished that, but they were able to get multiple truckloads full of donations.