Berkley students raise $3,000 for amputee veteran's new home

BERKLEY, Mich. (WJBK) - A  U.S. veteran and triple amputee was awarded a new home for him and his family thanks in part to the hard work of some local elementary and middle school students. The new house is going to Army Staff Sgt. Ben Eberle. He lost his limbs after an explosive device went off in Afghanistan in 2011.

Students at Anderson Middle School and Pattengill Elementary raised about $3,000  working with national organization Tunnel to Towers, to go towards Building for America's Bravest.

"We expected to raise a couple hundred dollars maybe, but as we kept raising more money, we realized a lot of people care about this," said Lillith Fleischaver, a Pattengill Elementary student.

"We really realized what a difference a small group of kids can make," said Amaya Aten, Anderson Middle School. "And we really wanted to push our project further and reach limits."

The money raised went toward smart technology in an all-new home. The big unveiling was the moment the students had been waiting for -- a chance to watch their hard work on the new place all come to fruition. You can watch the big unveiling in FOX 2's Erika Erickson's report in the video player above.

"I think that's the least we can do for the servicemen who have gone to battle for our country and suffered catastrophic losses," said Principal Michael Ross.

Back in January, students watched live as the first wall was put up. Tuesday was the moment they all had been waiting for.

Cheers and tears as Ben Eberle and his wife Ashley were speechless. These kids are already planning to honor another local hero this fall.

"We can't really believe as a team what we've done and how we've impacted the people we know," said Fleischaver.