NL students raise funds for veterans through 22 Pushup Challenge

For Northern Lehigh Middle School eighth-grade U.S. History classes, Thursday morning marked the culmination of a program that began on Veterans Day.

The fulfillment of the school’s annual 22 Kill Pushup Challenge not only served as a crowning achievement, it also raised funds and donations to benefit veterans of the U.S. military.

Todd Herzog, eighth-grade middle school history teacher, said the students satisfied their goal of 22 push-ups for 22 days to represent the 22 veterans who commit suicide per day due to post-traumatic stress disorder. The students also gain sponsorship for 22 dollars each.

“I wanted to give them a full explanation and understanding for what veterans have done for us, and for what they continue to do,” Herzog said. “I’m always in awe of how much and how giving veterans are, even when they are done serving.”

Herzog said that when the program began four years ago, his objective at that time was to raise $500, and that amount has since “grown exponentially.”

“My goal was I wanted to build awareness in our classrooms,” he said. “I wanted (the students) to learn about real-life experiences and give back to our veterans in the area.”

Herzog said the students, in collaboration with the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club, are donating to a local nonprofit organization called Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor which trains and raises service dogs.

“The Nam Knights said we’re going to match you dollar-for-dollar; that tells you in of itself how giving veterans are,” he said. “That’s why we need to honor our veterans every single day.”

Tim “Sarge” Parsons, president of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club, said the group looks forward to the program each year.

Herzog then recognized the Northern Lehigh Middle School Sons of Liberty Club, as well as the Northern Lehigh High School Patriots Club. The Patriots Club was able to raise $1,100, while the Sons of Liberty raised $818, for a total of $1,918.

He said combined with the dollar-for-dollar match by the Nam Knights, $3,836 will be donated to the Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor, and complimented the students and everyone involved for besting his goal to raise $3,000 through this year’s program.

“In over four years, the Northern Lehigh Middle School eighth-graders have raised $8,332 to donate to veterans in the Lehigh Valley,” he said. “This speaks volumes to your generosity.”

Jana Spess, program administrator, Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor, brought along “Luke,” a service dog in training named in honor of fallen soldier Luke J. Mercardante, US Marines, battalion sergeant major for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, who was killed on April 15, 2008 in Afghanistan.

“Our veterans go through so much,” Spess said. “Hopefully, we can rescue many more dogs, we’re looking forward to saving many more dogs and many more veterans.”

The 22 KILL movement started in 2013 after the VA released the staggering statistic that an average of 22 veterans are killed by suicide every day.

Since then, 22 KILL has committed to researching and understanding the genesis of this epidemic, and educating the general public on the issue.

The 22 KILL movement is a platform to raise awareness not just toward veteran suicide, but also to mental health issues that can lead to suicide.

These issues can stem from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, or the struggles and stresses of transitioning from military to civilian life.

Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor provides training service dogs for Veterans with PTSD, TBI and physical disabilities. For more information, visit www.tailsofvalor.org.