Schools
Whiz Kid: Drew Stoneburner, Fundraiser for Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Each week, Patch features a superstar kid in Wheaton.
Name: Drew Stoneburner
Age: 12
School:
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Key to Awesomeness:
Drew Stoneburner is bewildered at how US veterans are treated and how many end up homeless. “It’s really sad,” he said, “They’ve done so much for our country and we’re putting them on the street. It kills me. They deserve our respect and so much more.”
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Last year, when Stoneburner was in fifth grade at , he entered a Rotary contest, devising a plan to raise funds for the . “He won second place, thus giving him an even bigger incentive to continue,” said Melissa Stoneburner, Drew’s mother.
Drew said he chose to raise money for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans because it is “one of the only places in Wheaton that sponsors veterans and it is heartbreaking that it’s just one small house where three or four veterans can live, gain training and try to find jobs.”
Stoneburner creates postcard size informational cards explaining the sacrifice of individual veterans. He is currently focused on making cards for each of the Medal of Honor recipients and expanding from there. He sells these cards for $1 and includes an army soldier. Stoneburner gets choked up talking about the Medal of Honor recipients and relaying some of their heroic and breathtaking stories.
Just prior to the 9-11 anniversary, Stoneburner visited the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans to present them with his fundraising efforts of $153. “I was proud of myself and it felt great to do this and honor them just before 9-11. I hope it gave them confidence to feel better about themselves,” he said.
“When I see a veteran, I go up to them, shake their hand and say thank you for serving our nation. The veterans are often bewildered to be thanked but I know what they’ve done and am glad that they lived,” Stoneburner said.
Stoneburner has played hockey since he was 18 months old and now plays for a traveling team. He plays lacrosse and enjoys drawing, art history, and studying History and Math.
To purchase Stoneburner's cards, contact Melissa Stoneburner at MelissaStoneburner@gmail.com
