CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Jefferson County Schools JROTC students made a generous donation to the JCS Shoe and Coat Fund at a regular meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education (BOE) on January 22, 2024. Cadets presented the (BOE) with a check for over $60,000, surpassing last year's donation by more than $20,000.
Major Phillip Suydam said the annual fundraiser is the JROTC's largest community service initiative and a point of pride for his cadets.
"Service is such a big part of what we do and this project hits close to home," he said.
Administered through the JCS Social and Emotional Support Department (SoMo), the Shoe and Coat Fund ensures all students have access to winter-appropriate outerwear and footwear. Major Suydam said the fund relies heavily on the money raised by the JROTC program each year, noting that cadets often engage in friendly competition in their fundraising efforts.
"We are a large part of the support that comes in for the Shoe and Coat Fund, and the cadets really take that to heart."
Cadet Major Sol Aguilar, Awareness Presentation Team Commander, was the top earner this year, raising $4,419 for the initiative. She joined Cadet Colonel Britt Shoedel, Cadet Corps Commander; Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Sam Struthers, Deputy Cadet Corps Commander; and top first-year earner Cadet Airman First Class Derrick Carper in the BOE presentation.
"This fund helps provide winter clothing for our less fortunate students, so it feels good to give back to our peers," said Cadet Colonel Shoedel.
Originally established by JCS teachers more than three decades ago, the Shoe and Coat Fund has grown to support hundreds of students each year thanks to generous contributions from the community and local businesses. Visit https://www.jcswv.org/page/jcs... to learn more or make a gift.