Opinion

Mayoral Notes: Local veterans build desks for children

By CHARLENE LOVETT
By Charlene Lovett

When COVID-19 arrived, many people’s lives changed dramatically. People lost jobs or had to stop working due to underlying conditions. Schools shut down. Children and their families had to navigate the world of remote learning or working from home. With so many changes in such a brief period, providing ways to lessen the impact of all these disruptions became very important. Such was the case when Bob Hunt and Eric Schmidt, local veterans, began building desks for school children.

Bob, originally from Brooklyn, moved to New Hampshire in 1988 and eventually to Claremont in 2017 to stay with his daughter, Jessica Hunt. At the age of 16, he joined the Air Force in 1971 and became a jet engine mechanic. Stationed in Thailand in support of Rolling Thunder, he served in the military until 1975. He eventually developed his skills in woodworking and built small tables and outdoor furniture to subsidize his income. When COVID-19 arrived, his healthcare provider advised him to quit his job due to underlying health conditions. Not long after, he heard a report on WMUR about teachers in Hampstead who were building desks for their students. Bob thought, “I can do that.”

With the support of his daughter and her partner, Adam McMahon, Bob set up shop in the garage and built his first desk in September. After posting what he was doing on Facebook, he was contacted by Eric, another local veteran, who was interested in lending a helping hand. Eric, originally from Oneida, New York, moved to Claremont in 2000. He, too, entered the military at a young age, joining the Army at 17 and serving from 1987 to 1995 as a personnel clerk. Later, he pursued woodworking as a hobby. With so much in common, it was not long before Bob and Eric were building desks together. To date, they have built 58 desks and the requests keep coming.

When he first started this project, Bob thought he would get five or 10 requests for desks. Never did he imagine the extent of the need. Watching his granddaughter, Caeylan, he observed that students need enough room for paper, books and a computer. So, he designed a desk with a surface large enough to accommodate that with a storage space underneath. Custom built, the desk legs are made of pine, the body imported birch and the trim American poplar.

The support for Bob and Eric’s efforts has grown over the months. As word spread on social media, they began getting donations. Home Depot donated material for eight desks. Post 29 of the American Legion and the Odd Fellows donated $300 and $600 respectively. When people ask how much the desks cost, Bob tells them that the material cost is $52 for each desk. He explains that donations are welcome, but the desks are free to those who cannot afford to pay. When the desks are ready for pick-up, recipients need to arrange for transportation. However, local veterans do volunteer to deliver them when necessary.

When asked how long he will continue building desks, he replies, “until the need dries up.” He remarks on how gracious his daughter and Adam, also a veteran who retired from the Vermont Air National Guard, have been in their support of him and this project. He is grateful for the donations as it lessens the need for him to dip into his own savings. Most importantly, he enjoys the opportunity to fill a need in the community and the camaraderie with Eric.

Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and a 22-year Army veteran. She welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].

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