SHARPSBURG, Ga. (AP) - Veteran’s Day is steadily approaching and many families, businesses and organizations will be celebrating and honoring veterans across the country in different ways, but one local youth wanted to do more.
Lee Middle School student Anna Galeano, 11, is a new resident to Newnan, and decided she will honor veterans in her own way. She is donating money she earned from working in a neighbor’s yard to the local American Legion Post 57 Relief Fund, which is used to provide support for veterans in Coweta County.
Galeano is part of an active-duty military family and has become personally wrapped up in the culture of the military. The Galeano family had been stationed in Europe for the last three and a half years, and located to Newnan in August from the Netherlands for her father, Rick Galeano’s, new assignment.
When the Galeano’s neighbors, Brad and Karen Hildebrand, asked if any teenagers wanted to earn extra money by cleaning up their backyard, Anna agreed to do the work.
“It was actually a very large yard,” Rick said. “They said they were willing to pay them, and they would just hire a lawn company if no one volunteered.”
Rick said his wife, Katrin, met with the Hildebrands and his daughter spent hours over the next 10 days picking up pine cones, weeds and sticks to what added up to be roughly 20 large bags of yard waste. She even recruited her 5-year-old brother to help with the project.
When it was time to be rewarded for her hard work, Rick said he and his family were not expecting much money.
“We thought they may pay her like $40 or $50, but when they (the Hildebrands) came to our house they gave her a check for $200,” Rick said, “I was shocked, but it was a lot of work. She was bit by mosquitos, and there were spiders all around, but she was really excited about it.”
Rick said his daughter pondered that evening about what she should with the money.
“I asked her what she wanted to do, and she said she wanted to donate it,” Rick said. “Being new to the area, we found a women’s shelter and other local organizations. I actually recommended the women’s shelter because she’s done so much volunteer work for the military and I didn’t want her to feel obligated.”
Rick said Anna looked up some information and decided to donate to the American Legion.
“I thought it was a really neat thing that being brand new to the community, she took money she earned and donated it,” Rick said. “She participates in extracurricular activities, such as rock climbing and horseback riding, just like any other child, but she is also an avid volunteer and longs to support veterans and those who are still serving in our military.”
Anna donated the money to the legion at its monthly meeting on Oct. 6. Days later, Legion Commander Tim Smith and legion member G.D. Hendrix presented her with a certificate of appreciation at her school.
“It was an honor to have Anna Galeano present her donation to our veterans-relief fund during our monthly meeting,” Smith said in an email statement. “Anna’s passion for veterans, her selfless act of giving, and her heart for serving encouraged and inspired our American Legion family.”
Anna Galeano hopes her story will inspire others to volunteer and help their communities.
“Whether you volunteer for veteran’s organizations or any other organization, giving back to our community, region, state and nation is something that I would like to see others participate in,” Anna said in a written statement.
“I know that the veterans are soldiers that have served and many times fought for our country. I thought I should give something back to them in return for their service. Not many children my age volunteer and give back. I want to make a change to this by setting an example so others will follow and do the same,” Anna said.
Over the years, Anna has volunteered for several organizations, including libraries, thrift shops and the Soldier and Family Readiness Group of Alpha Company, AFNORTH Battalion (US Army) in the Netherlands. Anna has placed U.S. flags on the graves of fallen soldiers for Memorial Day in Belgium and the Netherlands the past two years.
Because of her volunteer work, Anna was awarded the gold Presidential Volunteer Service award twice. She will continue her volunteer work here in Newnan where the Galeano family says “the sense of belonging to a great community inspired us to relocate here. We just love it here.”
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Information from: The Times-Herald, https://www.times-herald.com
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