3rd grader uses her birthday as a platform for donations to Chillicothe VA
Charlie Reichelderfer, center, poses with her donation to the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. (Submitted photos)
A copy of Charlie Reichelderfer’s handwritten letter seeking donations for area veterans.
Charlie Reichelderfer is a 9-year-old student of Washington Elementary and by all accounts your typical third grader. She plays shortstop and pitcher on her local softball team, and her favorite subject is math. What sets Charlie apart from her peers is her propensity to give back to the veteran community.
Charlie, born on Veterans Day, had a bright idea just before her 9th birthday. She wanted to collect donations from the community to give to veterans in need at the local VA Medical Center. So, armed with a handwritten letter and a thousand-watt smile, she set off on her mission.
“I wanted veterans to feel more appreciated, because they saved our country from all of those wars,” Charlie said. “I wanted to give them money to help with whatever is going on in their lives.”
With the help of her grandmother, Debbie VanSickle, Gracie approached patrons at Jimbo’s Burgers and Beer, a family-run restaurant in South Bloomingville, auctioning Ohio State merchandise and taking in donations.
Over the course of a month, Charlie’s letter brought in $2,000, all of which went to the Veteran Food Insecurity Program at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center.
Charlie isn’t planning on slowing down, either, and wants to get her friends at school in the mix.
“I want to raise a lot more money and set a goal each year. I want (my friends and I) to do some sort of sale to raise more for the veterans,” Charlie said with a smile. “It makes me feel happy, because I want the veterans to have a smile on their face every day when they think about it.”
Charlie set her goal for this Veterans Day at $4,000, and given this young girl’s spirit, her family has no doubt she will hit that mark. She is another example of how the community of southern Ohio cares for those who served.
From the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, we say thank you, Charlie, for your generosity and willingness to help the veterans of our community.
If you would also like to donate, please contact our Center for Development & Civic Engagement, formerly known as Voluntary Service, to learn all the ways you can help veterans in need. That number is (740) 773-1141 ext. 17421.