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RHMS student honored for volunteer service
Garrette Chesser.jpg
Richmond Hill Middle School sixth-grader Garrette Chesser shows off the Presidential Volunteer Service Award she received for her volunteer work with service animals. Photo provided.

This month, the SD Gunner Fund acknowledged local Bryan County student Garrette Chesser with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her dedicated service in 2018. 

Chesser volunteered over 50 hours last year to veteran and military families by walking, grooming and puppy-socializing service animals that help give veterans and disabled children a better quality of life.

“Garrette Chesser is an amazing young lady that has an even bigger heart,” said SD Gunner Fund Founder and President Britnee Kinard. “Our dogs get so excited when they hear her come in the front door, and to see her interact with them is awe-inspiring. She played an integral role is changing several veterans’ lives, and I could not imagine a better person to nominate for this award.”

Chesser, a Richmond Hill Middle School sixth-grader, rides horses both at a local farm and as a competitor on an Inter Scholastic Equestrian Association team. Having a father serving in the military combined with her love of animals, Garrette found her “perfect match” volunteering with the SD Gunner Fund, which provided her with an opportunity to serve both veterans and service animals.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes U.S. citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved a certain number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.

The SD Gunner Fund assists veterans and disabled children with the financial expenses of owning much needed service animals.

 For more information about the SD Gunner Fund, visit webjobs.kender.org/sdgunnerfund.

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