“If you really want to receive joy and happiness, then serve others with all your heart. Lift their burden, and your own burden will be lighter.”
~ Ezra Taft Benson
Our day started with a wonderful breakfast provided by the United Way at the beautiful Cascade Park. It was amazing to see how many volunteers were there to help besides our own. We all ate together while listening to inspiring speakers, and discussing our plans for the day. Mr. Rich, our Administrative Director, and Mr. Blank, our retired PL Advisor, joined us, as well. They were delighted to help their students give back to the community.
LCCTC’s PL group was all prepared to get down to work and get our foreheads sweaty and our hands dirty. What we didn’t expect was all the opportunities to come.
At Camp Agawam
With eight PLs returning, including one “newbie”, the group was excited for another great year of putting the camp to bed for the winter -- all outdoors. Alexis Herold, junior Vet Assistant recalls, “Even though we were working, we still got to have a lot of fun.”
The day consisted of many tasks and responsibilities. Upon arrival, the PLs were split up into smaller groups, each assigned to several different jobs including power-washing walls, sweeping floors, getting rid of weeds, covering the pool, and stacking palettes.
When asked what their favorite part of the day was, most PLs had similar responses: They truly enjoyed helping the community, and they liked being able to help. Heather Jewell, Health Assistant senior, remarks, “It would be a lot more work for the groundskeepers if we had not been there to help.” While working, the PL group got to enjoy the company of their friends, and put their youth and skill to good use! However, all of them collectively agreed their number-one favorite part of the day was the scrumptious homemade lunch! They were served delicious sloppy joes and yummy cookies. Mr. Rich and Mr. Blank had a blast getting their hands dirty and “showing the kids how it’s done”.
It’s truly amazing how much can get done when everyone puts their heads, hearts, and hands together.
While those nine were working hard at the camp, the other eight were working just as hard at our local YMCA. Similar to those at Camp Agawam, the PLs were also split into smaller groups.
There was a lot to do, but they quickly conquered each task. While one group was sanitizing equipment in the weight room, another worked tirelessly to clean the walls and floors of the fitness room to prepare for painting. They also helped to clean the pool area, mop floors, and sanitize toys in the daycare. As a group, they agreed the two best parts of the day was certainly the pizza and meeting the toddlers in the childcare center. Although it was a new environment, we had a blast. It was another opportunity to bring us together closer as friends while we worked hard and listened to music.
We were happy to help our community center, and the employees there were glad too! In fact, they were so glad that they asked if they were able to enlist our help for future events which, of course, we gladly accepted.
One of the benefits of spending our time serving our community is that it features our school in a super-positive way; another benefit, it helped to strengthen our community. We all look forward to participating in again next year!
As mentioned earlier, we expected to serve our community, but we didn’t expect the opportunities offered to us.
The group at Camp Agawam was offered summer jobs because they were so impressed with the dedication and hard work our students put in.
Peer Leaders at the YMCA were offered the opportunity to become volunteers at the childcare center, and many of them even filled out their forms right when they were given!
As more opportunities arise for our Peer Leaders, we will continue to service with pride, lead with confidence, and aspire to impact lives.
When asked what their favorite part of the day was, most PLs had similar responses: They truly enjoyed helping the community, and they liked being able to help. Heather Jewell, Health Assistant senior, remarks, “It would be a lot more work for the groundskeepers if we had not been there to help.” While working, the PL group got to enjoy the company of their friends, and put their youth and skill to good use! However, all of them collectively agreed their number-one favorite part of the day was the scrumptious homemade lunch! They were served delicious sloppy joes and yummy cookies. Mr. Rich and Mr. Blank had a blast getting their hands dirty and “showing the kids how it’s done”.
It’s truly amazing how much can get done when everyone puts their heads, hearts, and hands together.
Meanwhile, at yhe YMCA…
While those nine were working hard at the camp, the other eight were working just as hard at our local YMCA. Similar to those at Camp Agawam, the PLs were also split into smaller groups.
We were happy to help our community center, and the employees there were glad too! In fact, they were so glad that they asked if they were able to enlist our help for future events which, of course, we gladly accepted.
One of the benefits of spending our time serving our community is that it features our school in a super-positive way; another benefit, it helped to strengthen our community. We all look forward to participating in again next year!
Future Opportunities…
As mentioned earlier, we expected to serve our community, but we didn’t expect the opportunities offered to us.
The group at Camp Agawam was offered summer jobs because they were so impressed with the dedication and hard work our students put in.
Peer Leaders at the YMCA were offered the opportunity to become volunteers at the childcare center, and many of them even filled out their forms right when they were given!
As more opportunities arise for our Peer Leaders, we will continue to service with pride, lead with confidence, and aspire to impact lives.
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"A person's most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help others."