Davis Sixth Grader Turns 3D Printing into Significant Donation for Veterans

With a heart for service and a passion for creating, one Davis sixth grader is proving that even small businesses can make a big difference.

McKenzie Dugger recently turned her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into a powerful act of service by donating $500 to Homes for Our Troops, a national nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

The donation came from Dugger’s very own 3D printing business, where she created small items and toys for holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Easter. Her mother’s coworkers placed orders for specialty-printed items, and the money she earned was saved with one goal in mind: giving back.

“I wanted to give my proceeds to Homes for Our Troops because I have a lot of people in my family who were veterans — like a lot, a lot. It goes way back,” Dugger said.

Homes for Our Troops was an organization Dugger learned about last year during her fifth-grade social studies class, where teachers collected donations of pocket change on “Quarter Fridays” to support the organization. Even a year later, the lesson stayed with her and inspired her generous decision.

When it came time to donate, Dugger took the check straight to her fifth-grade social studies teacher, Trudi Kane.

“I was incredibly surprised when she handed me the $500 check,” Kane said. “I’ve never had a student do this. Just to know where her head is and that she wants to donate is mind-boggling.”

Kane added that seeing a former student return to give back made the moment even more meaningful.

“I’ve never had a child come back and continue to give,” Kane said. “She is a caring and thoughtful child.”

Davis Intermediate Assistant Principal Rachel Pakebusch shared that Dugger wanted the donation to represent something even bigger than herself.

“She wanted to give the check to Davis to donate to Homes for Our Troops so that it would come from the whole school, not just her,” Pakebusch said.

Dugger’s story is a powerful example of how Wylie ISD students learn empathy, civic responsibility, and leadership at an early age.

From innovation and entrepreneurship to service and compassion, Dugger’s actions are a reminder of what it truly means to be Proud to Be Wylie ISD.