New club connects student volunteers with veterans’ organizations

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“Sharks for Heroes” is a new club at Ponte Vedra High School this year, with a focus to connect student volunteers with veterans’ organizations that need help. Its formation was inspired by an ad in the Ponte Vedra Recorder.

Like most young people, PVHS junior Mason Romero does not get his news from a daily or weekly thrown on the driveway. But he said his mother is an avid reader of the Recorder and called his attention to an ad for the annual First Coast Benghazi Tribute. Romero had been thinking about starting a club to connect students, who need to complete community service hours, with organizations seeking volunteers. He surmised that few students would see the ad in the paper and decided to spearhead Sharks for Heroes with his friend, Jake Simone.

“The Benghazi Tribute was something I wanted to help spread the word and bring awareness to,” Romero said.

The first club meeting was in October with a handful of students and has grown to more than 30 active members.

Dec. 2 marked the end of a challenge with Nease High School to collect the most items for Toys for Tots. The final numbers were not in at press time, but he said some of the collection bins had to be emptied several times to make room. Sharks for Heroes handled marketing for the challenge.

On Dec. 7, club members will greet guests, monitor silent auction tables and help as needed at the Pearl Harbor Day Breakfast hosted by We Can Be Heroes Foundation.

“I’m mainly looking forward to meeting veterans of Pearl Harbor and serving them, especially since it’s Pearl Harbor Day,” Romero said.

The breakfast is to honor World War II Veterans and Gold Star Families who can receive complimentary tickets by calling 904-705-6439. Retired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf will share a rarely heard true story of Pearl Harbor. There will be a silent auction, raffles and a food drive of nonperishable items to benefit homeless vets.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/DEC7HEROES or call 904-373-8817.

On Dec. 14, Sharks for Heroes will assist the Veterans Council of St. Johns County for Wreaths Across America. Students will help unload wreaths, and then lay a wreath on each grave at St. Augustine National Cemetery. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at 104 Marine Street.

“Since we have so much going on, we won’t have a formal meeting in December,” Romero said.

Still, he’s already seeking connections for January and beyond.