Hunters Creek Middle Schoolers make a difference

Brittani Robeson cried at her grandmother's grave Friday.

But it wasn't during a family visit to the site. Instead, the 12-year-old was taking part in Hunters Creek Middle School's Make a Difference Day as one of about 40 students at the N.C. Veteran's Cemetery raking, cleaning headstones and section markers, and wiping down the benches.

"(Make a Difference Day) is good because I'm making it better for people whose loved ones have passed away," Brittani said.

More than 800 Hunters Creek Middle students went to 22 different locations - including Hammocks Beach State Park, Topsail Beach, convenience centers and Possumwood Acres - in an effort to make a difference in the community.

"There's more to life and citizenship than what we do for ourselves," Principal Tim Foster said. "... What we do for ourselves dies with us and what we do for others lives on forever.

When Foster heard of Make a Difference Day, he knew it was something he wanted his students to participate in.

"Now's a great chance for them to see there's more going on than what they do for themselves," Foster said. "People need to realize it doesn't matter how much money you make you can always do something for your community."

Like Brittani, Sheila Velasco, 12, was at the cemetery cleaning the gravestones and remembering.

"(I'm) cleaning the graves so people can see their loved ones again and remember them again," Sheila said. "I know how they feel. One of my loved ones died and it's horrible."

Despite the sadness, Make a Difference Day was a learning experience for Sheila.

"You should help clean up litter and help clean Earth, the environment and give money to charity," she said.

Today, Sheila plans to pick up trash in her neighborhood.

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461.