By Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado … Students at Vista Ridge Academy in Erie, Colorado recently took a day off from classroom learning to participate in several community service events.
The day, which the school hopes to be a yearly tradition, began with Herbert Hernandez, Chapel Haven Adventist church pastor, presenting the worship thought on the importance of service. After worship, students began their day of service at four different activities stations at the school.
Activities included decorating bags for Coal Creek Meal and Wheels, packing hygiene kits for the Salvation Army, making cards for the Veterans Center, and picking up trash outside of the school. The students, working in pairs, transitioned through each of the stations throughout the day.
“My favorite part about today was being able to bond with my little buddies and having fun with them,” remarked a seventh-grader.
A student in fourth grade enjoyed the meals on wheels station. “I think my favorite part was when we got to decorate bags for the people who can’t really make their own food. It was great to know I was helping people so they can eat. It was really fun.”
Amanda Koenig, communications and development coordinator of Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, counted it a privilege to speak to the students about the organization. “It was really awesome to be here and to see the students be so dedicated and committed to wanting to learn about the work that we do and also being engaged in the volunteer activity, which was decorating bags. That is a simple but huge way that volunteers and students impacted folks in the community. Our clients just really appreciate receiving that decorated bag, that little positive message that warms their day with their meal and support services.” Students decorated a total of 131 bags for Coal Creek Meals on Wheels.
Kristen Bayulot, Denver Metro social services director of the Salvation Army, was also happy to spend time with the students. “They were very excited to pack hygiene kits for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community. All the students put together 216 hygiene kits, which include washcloths, hand towels, soap, band-aids, fingernail clippers, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, razors, shampoo, and body lotion.”
Collette Archibald, Director of the Boulder Vet Centers, was very grateful for the help the students gave and appreciated the thoughtfulness of Vista Ridge Academy for the 100 cards that were dropped off at the center.
To finish out the special day, the school held a domino fall. Students collected 150 boxes of cereal throughout the week leading up to Service Day. The cereal boxes were used in a domino run set up in the gym by students. This year’s top butter braid seller pushed the first domino, and all students watched with excitement as each box fell to the next. The cereal boxes were donated to the Erie Community Food Bank. You can see a video of the domino fall and pictures from the day’s event on Vista Ridge Academy’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VistaRidgeAcademy
Vista Ridge Academy plans to keep Service Day as an annual tradition and looks forward to next year’s event.
–Marsha Bartulec is Vista Ridge Academy vice-principal for administration; photos courtesy of Vista Ridge Facebook page
