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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 6, 2017

One person helps make a difference for students, teachers, community

U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School Public Affairs

Students at Smith Elementary School in San Antonio received a surprise Dec. 12, 2016, when Danielle Smith, a civilian employee at the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, donated boxes of school supplies and presented several of the teachers with gift baskets and gift cards at a ceremony held in the packed school gym.

The week prior, Smith led another school supply drive, this time for the students at Cameron Elementary School in San Antonio. Between the two schools, Smith and her fellow Soldiers and civilians from the NCOA donated 15 boxes of supplies worth $3,000.

Selfless service is an Army value and Danielle Smith exhibits that value by acting on her own and in the processed inspired others to join in her generosity. Both schools are in the San Antonio Independent School District.

People who know Smith aren’t surprised by her actions. Growing up, Smith did not have much, but what she did have was a heart of gold and that heart has guided her way. She has never forgotten from where she came, and how blessed she is as an adult.

As an example, while waiting in line at a department store, Smith saw a family buying school supplies and spontaneously decided to pay for their purchase. She did not know the family and they had not asked for help. That is just the kind of person Smith is – a person who practices random acts of kindness.

“I went to a school just like this,” Smith said. “I walked to school and sometimes wore the same clothes because that’s all I had. I want to do whatever I can for these children because when I was their age, nobody came to our school to help.”

Vanessa Fox-Norton, Smith Elementary School principal, said her students come from working class families that struggle financially. Her students get excited with the smallest gifts.

“Having Soldiers give students and their teachers so many items made the children positively euphoric,” Fox-Norton said.

Barbara Eisele, a teacher at Cameron Elementary, said her school was equally gracious and appreciative of the selflessness and service of Smith and the NCOA.

“That was so gracious, especially since we should be giving to you and yours at this time, since you give so much of yourselves for us,” Eisele said in thanking the NCOA.

Command Sgt. Maj. Napoleon Noguerapayan, NCOA commandant, and Karen Archondidis, deputy commandant, attended the event at Smith Elementary. Because of Smith’s generosity, the NCOA is working on joining the Fort Sam Houston Adopt-A-School program started by U.S. Army North.

Through the Adopt-A-School program, Soldiers and civilians volunteer at local San Antonio schools take part in events, conduct monthly visits with the school principal, coordinate volunteer events, assist with career days, sponsor field trips and many other activities.

Can one person make a difference? Yes, and Smith demonstrates the giving spirt of the Army.