Richards sophomores paint retired Marine's deck

Oak Lawn IL

13 May, 2021

10:26 AM

Description

Richards High School mom Emily Griffith didn't need to think long when she learned her neighbor Terry Ganzer needed help staining his back deck. If asked, she knew her son Eric and his friend, Tyler Lumpkins, wouldn't hesitate. "On Friday, right after school, they went over to this former Marine's house to paint his back porch for him. His name is Terry Ganzer and he is a member of the church I attend," she said. Both Eric and Tyler participate in the U.S. Navy JROTC program, a place where service and volunteering comprise a huge part of the experience. CDR (ret.) Doug Groters, the senior JROTC instructor at Richards, characterized their work as "our JROTC cadets stepping up to help a fellow shipmate." Mrs. Griffth could not have been more proud. "(Ganzer) approached me about the task and I knew who to ask. The boys immediately said yes and did a great job. Mr. Ganzer is grateful for their time," she said. Eric and Tyler, both sophomores, live in Oak Lawn.