Local veterans clean up elementary school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Sunday is Veterans Day, but some local veterans gathered Saturday morning at a northwest Houston elementary school to participate in a large-scale service project.

The veterans were painting, building benches, cleaning classrooms and landscaping the grounds at Garden Oaks Elementary School.

It was the kind of fall morning facelift that would make any school look great.

"With these community service projects, you really learn how to build stuff," Army veteran Reyna Banfill said. "I've learned how to paint."

The added bonus is that military veterans are doing this work in honor of Veteran's Day, coordinated by The Mission Continues -- a nonprofit group that helps recent veterans transition to civilian life through community service work.

As our country is saying thank you this weekend, these veterans are saying they're still ready to serve.

"A lot of us when we come back after serving [and] basically still serve," Banfill said.

While the improvements to the school are much appreciated, perhaps the greatest benefit is that the children see these service members still leading by example.

"This is great. It's really fulfilling," Banfill said. "I like helping the community."

For more information, visit missioncontinues.org.

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local, elissa rivas

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