Giving Back To Those Who Sacrifice

Embodying the true spirit of selflessness, students of Chatterton School in the Merrick School District were full of patriotic pride as they presented U.S. Navy Veteran Petty Officer Second Class Tim Birckhead with a donation of more than $1,000 to help build him a new adaptable home through the Homes for Our Troops organization. This generous contribution was made possible by the determination of fourth-grader Carter Tenenbaum.

According to its website, Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans helping to restore some of the freedom and independence they sacrificed while defending our country. After seven years of loyal service, Mr. Birckhead was unable to continue serving after being diagnosed with hereditary neuropathy, a debilitating condition that affects his sensory and motor nerves.

Hearing about the cause from his mother’s job on The View, Carter was inspired by the organization’s mission to help veterans, who have protected our freedoms and rights, rebuild their lives. Earlier in the year, Carter proposed an idea to the student council about hosting a schoolwide fundraiser contributing to the construction of Mr. Birckhead’ s home. For two weeks, Carter and members of the student council sold camouflage dog tags raising a total of $1,260.

On March 22, Mr. Birckhead and his family visited Chatterton for the school’s Homes for Our Troops Assembly where they spent the day roaming the halls of Chatterton, having lunch with Carter and the student council and sharing Mr. Birckhead’s journey to Carter’s class. Later that afternoon, students, teachers, administrators, co-host of The View Sara Haines and Carter’s mother Robin Hommel gathered in the gymnasium for a special ceremony where Mr. Birckhead received the school’s generous donation.

Kicking off the assembly, Assistant Principal Scott Jackson commended Carter for initiating this wonderful fundraiser and explaining that with the help of others, anything is possible. Following Dr. Richard Nasto an advisor of student council welcomed Ms. Haines, who shared her reasoning for being apart of this celebratory day and introduced the honored guest.

Waving miniature American flags, students gave Mr. Birckhead a warm Chatterton welcome as he entered the gymnasium. Mr. Birckhead thanked Carter and the entire school community for their generosity to the cause.

“I was filled with joy when I received the news of what an amazing nine-year old, named Carter wanted to do for a cause that is dear to my heart” said Mr. Birckhead. “Words cannot explain how grateful I am for Chatterton School’s actions and love.” Afterwards, students asked Mr. Birckhead questions about serving our country, living with this disease and what he is most excited for in his new home in Mullikin, New Jersey.

There was not a dry eye in the audience as the assembly concluded with Carter and student council members presenting Mr. Birckhead with a check for $1,260 as well as an assortment of gifts including a piece of art work to decorate his new home, a red, white and blue knitted blanket made by “We Care Blankets” and Chatterton t-shirts and magnets for each member of his family.

A special thank you to Kristi Galanek and Dylan Curtis of Homes for Our Troops, David Hall from Homewood Suites in Carl Place, Sondra Posner at LiquidArtt, Cindy DiBiasi from Douglas Elliman, Lisa DeTurris of Nassau South Shore Chapter, LIBOR, Vincent’s Clam Bar for providing dinner for the Birckhead family, Sky High Balloons for their patriotic decorations and Sara Haines, Robin Hommel, Mark and Bo for their generosity in making this assembly truly remarkable.

Among a see of swaying flags, cheers and applause Mr. Jackson left students with words of inspiration. “Remember boys and girls, it only takes one person to make a difference” he said.