Elmwood Elementary fourth grader Jackson Persin got a special surprise at school. Jackson was presented with the Naperville Responds for Veterans Challenge Coin for his service to the community.
Jackson helped out an elderly neighbor by shoveling her snow over the winter, but when she insisted on paying him, he donated the money to Naperville Responds for Veterans.
To say thanks, NRFV president Dan Jurjovec brought Master Sergeant Shawn Doty in his dress blues to present the award.
But, this isn’t the first time Jackson’s opened up the piggy bank for the cause.
“This was the second thing he’s done now in raising money for Naperville Responds for Veterans,” said Jackson’s grandfather Jack Persin. “In the summer the year before, he set up a lemonade stand with grandma and they raised $185 selling lemonade one day. And he donated $100 of that money toward Naperville Responds for Veterans.”
His grandfather is involved with the organization and said Jackson has shown interest in service for years. Jackson’s generosity impressed his parents, classmates, and even Master Sergeant Doty himself.
“There’s not a lot of kids out there, out of the kindness of their heart doing things like this,” said Doty. “Or at least getting recognized for it. So this is an inspiration to other kids and, heck, even adults.”
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
