One Retired Firefighter Is Turning Pieces of Wood Into Hope for Students With Lunch Debt

One retired firefighter is turning pieces of wood into hope for students with lunch debt. It began in Chris Monroe’s Missouri garage, where he carved wooden swords for his grandchildren. Before long, the word about these nifty handmade creations spread, and the neighborhood kids wanted swords of their own. Chris enjoyed making them, but a conversation with his son-in-law gave those hours in the garage a deeper purpose.

Retired Firefighter Turns a Hobby Into a Way to Help

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Andrew Crawford, a teacher, told Chris how often students carry lunch debt. Some families earn just enough to miss the cutoff for meal assistance, yet still struggle to cover the cost of school lunches.

“It’s often those kids who live on the bubble or on the cusp,” Andrew said.

Chris kept thinking about those children. He had wood, tools, and the time to make something with his hands. So he began accepting a donation for every sword he carved. At the end of each school year, he gives the money to local school districts to help pay down student lunch debt. Each donation is made in a child’s name.

Handmade Wooden Swords Help Pay Off Student Lunch Debt

I love imagining a child running through the yard with one of Chris’s swords, dreaming up some grand adventure. That child gets the joy of a gift made just for them. Somewhere else, a student gets help with lunch that no child should ever have to worry about, and the children who receive the swords get to be part of that kindness, too.

Chris puts real care into his work. One sword he calls a “crusader sword” had already taken at least 25 hours to make when he showed it to others who were curious about his hobby. And the children keep in touch, sending texts and emails about where their swords have gone and what they’ve done with them.

“It’s gratifying that I’ve found some purpose,” Chris said.

Retirement Gives Him Another Way to Serve His Community

After years of serving his community as a firefighter, Chris has found another way to care for his neighbors. It happens quietly, in a garage scattered with wood shavings. He carves a sword, a child carries it home, and a student he may never meet gets help with a meal.

What a beautiful thing to make with a piece of wood.

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“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 

WATCH: One Retired Firefighter Is Turning Pieces of Wood Into Hope for Students With Lunch Debt 

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h/t: People

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Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.