Blessed Sacrament students provide boost for Save A Warrior program

NEWARK ― Dr. Brooke Donaldson is moved to tears when talking about Save A Warrior. It saved her life, and her family.

That's why when her son Dylan and other Blessed Sacrament students decided to aid the program through a school project, it meant so much to the Licking County Memorial Emergency Department physician, her husband Trevor, and Save A Warrior founder Jake Clark.

All were on hand during a recent school lunch hour, when fifth graders Dylan Donaldson and Mia Richards presented a check for $947.84 to Clark, raised through Blessed Sacrament's Romans 12 program and a pair of lunch-time sales.

Clark founded Save A Warrior 10 years ago, and it is a timeless, heroic journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone. It offers an alternative holistic service that equips veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome the symptoms and addictions associated with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress, including suicide.

The student body had a choice of three options to donate the money to: Hope Valley, Save A Warrior and the Look Up Center. "I was so glad it was Save A Warrior," Dylan said. "Both of my parents went through it. I was really surprised with the amount we raised. We did the math, and figured it would be around $400."

Save A Warrior also means a lot to Richards. "My dad is a Columbus SWAT officer, and he has seen a lot of people who have been through that," she said.

Dylan and Mia sold fresh popcorn, made-to-order slushies, homemade chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, fresh lemonade, candy cups, pumpkin candy dispensers, pumpkin and skull cups, mystery bags, blind grab in a cauldron, chips, gum, laser pointers, jewel pens, various suckers, Rice Krispy treats and pencil quills during a couple of lunch hours. They researched the three non-profit organizations for the student body to vote on.

Romans 12 is an opportunity for Blessed Sacrament students to explore a topic of interest through an hour of weekly self study that culminates in a project of some sort. Dylan and Mia partnered on a project on business development and operations. They learned about business operations, profit/loss margins, Excel use and equations, appealing to customers and obtaining business support through donations. It is based on the Romans 12:6 Bible verse, which basically says that "since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them."

"This is just the first year for it. It's been nine weeks, and we're so excited about what we've already seen," said Blessed Sacrament principal Josh Caton, who oversees students ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade. "It is all student led (teachers guide and assist, but do not assign). We have seventh graders building computers from scratch, and others doing embroidery, baseball cards, you name it. It is self directed, but they have to make a pitch and tell us what it will be and why they're doing it."

"I wanted to learn how to start up and operate my own business," Dylan said. "We had an enterpreneur fair in fourth grade and it was really fun, so this was a good choice," added Mia.

So was choosing Save A Warrior.

"They could have picked any number of things, but they chose to help veterans and first responders," said Clark, an Army veteran who also worked for the Secret Service, Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI. "It says a lot about what kind of parents they have. I attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania."

The organization was originally based in Newark, but it was moved to Hillsboro, thanks in big part to a story that appeared in the Newark Advocate.

"A 94-year-old, World War II veteran saw the article, we had a meeting in Granville, and he put me in touch with an anonymous donor. He gave us $15 million and a 350-acre property in Hillsboro," Clark said. "The Disabled American Veterans started giving us $1 million a year because of it."

Clark said the money raised by the students will be put to good use. "This will make a life-saving difference, in someone's life," he said.

Dr. Donaldson can certainly attest to it. She is also a MetroHealth Lifeflight Airmedical flight physician, and LMHS Director of Community Resiliency.

"Save A Warrior opened my eyes to the world of complex post traumatic stress that I had previously denied. My life had become unmanageable and a painful struggle. I was able to hide it well from most, but those who were closest to me could see the pain and struggle," Dr. Donaldson said. After a year of psychotherapy and suicidality, she was introduced to Save A Warrior.

"In September 2020, I attended Save A Warrior and my eyes were opened to a new way of living, loving, feeling and being of service. I was able to learn the root of my pain and gained a new appreciation for being present in all interactions. I learned how to build healthy relationships, set healthy boundaries, and take care of myself so that I can care for others," she said.

The program's work does not end upon leaving Warrior Village, as Dr. Donaldson continues with a 500-day plan that includes meditation, sobriety, self-reflection and being of service to other men and women attending SAW.

"Working through these as well as continuing to hold myself accountable to the lessons I learned at Save A Warrior, both personally as well as with my SAW family, has changed not only my outlook on life but also my overall demeanor," she said.

dweidig@gannett.com

740-704-7973

Twitter: @grover5675

Instagram: @dfweidig

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Blessed Sacrament students boost Save A Warrior program