Veterans Group Thanks Hoven Students After Fire

HOVEN, S.D. (AP) — A veterans support group has given flags and a cash donation to students in northern South Dakota who lost their school to a fire in the spring.

KELO-TV reports Rolling Thunder Brookings Chapter members wanted to thank the school in Hoven after students there raised about $2,500 for the group through a 2011 penny collection competition. Students brought in so many pennies that the local bank ran out of the coins. The money helped two veterans from South Dakota return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The Rolling Thunder members delivered flags via motorcycle and presented them for use in each classroom when a new school is built. They also gave $350.

Freshman Calie Kaiser says the gift surprised students because they had raised money without expecting anything in return.

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