The pushups they have been doing since November have been about more than just an arm exercise to build their muscles.

For Northern Lehigh Middle School’s eighth-grade U.S. history classes, Thursday morning represented the climax of their 22 Pushup Challenge.

The students completed their task of 22 pushups for 22 days to represent the 22 veterans who commit suicide per day due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

They raised $560, which was matched dollar for dollar by the NAM Knights of America MC, to bring the total to $1,120, which the students agreed to donate to the Valor Clinic in Jonas.

The students also collected and boxed items to donate to the homeless veterans, such as jackets, sweatshirts, socks, food and other personal items.

Members of the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club, Lehigh Valley Chapter, a veteran and law enforcement organization, along with Sgt. Maj. Mark Baylis, from the Valor Clinic, were in attendance.

Todd Herzog, eighth-grade middle school history teacher, said the students began the program back on Veterans Day as part of a challenge to raise awareness and funds to donate to a veterans’ organization.

“We started the task on Nov. 11 as a lesson in class to give the students a better understanding of the value of our U.S. veterans and why we should be grateful for their service,” Herzog said. “I wanted them to learn to be respectful and not feel entitled and therefore have a more meaningful appreciation for the men and women who serve in the military.”

Herzog said that each day in class, the students dropped and completed their 22 pushups before class started, and added that it culminated with Thursday’s assembly.

“I always try to teach the students that there is so much more U.S. history to learn that is not written in a textbook,” he said. “A textbook is merely a tool and a starting point.”

Herzog added, “Too many times when you mention the words ‘history class’ to people in the general public and to students, they associate it with learning to memorize a bunch of dead guys’ names and dates. To me, that’s not learning. I try to take a more hands-on approach to teaching history in the classroom by getting students involved with understanding it rather than memorizing it.

“I’d rather them know how history connects and affects our lives and how and why we live and do the things we do today in modern times,” he said. “In my opinion, that is a lot more effective learning tool than just memorizing important dates in historical times.”

The 22 KILL movement started in 2013 after the VA released the staggering statistic that an average of 22 veterans are killed by suicide every day.

Since then, 22 KILL has committed to researching and understanding the genesis of this epidemic, and educating the general public on the issue.

The 22 KILL movement is a platform to raise awareness not just toward veteran suicide, but also to mental health issues that can lead to suicide.

These issues can stem from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, or the struggles and stresses of transitioning from military to civilian life.