When many people think about LEAP
service projects, they think of Rebuilding Macon projects that
generally involve painting houses. While painting houses does help
beautify the community, it can get to be somewhat repetitive towards
the end of the project. Last Saturday, however, I got the
opportunity to participate in a project that was completely
different. A group of students went to Bernd Elementary School to
volunteer at their fall festival fundraiser.
Several parent volunteers and teachers
went out early on a Saturday morning to set up booths for the
students to come and, for a small fee, they could play for the better
half of the day. The booths included a salon where the kids could
get colorful streaks put into their hair, a “pie the principle”
station, the ever present bounce houses, and several carnival-like
games. When we got there, the teacher and parent volunteers seemed
genuinely glad to have us there to help out. After a quick
breakfast, we got to work finishing setting up the stations. When
the kids started showing up, we all took a spot at a station to help
out however we could. Some people were working at the food table and
some at various game stations.
The kids were all very excited to be
at the fall festival, even though it involved being at school on the
weekend. I was genuinely surprised at the number of children who
showed up to give support to the fundraiser being put on by their
school. I was even more surprised by the number of committed parents
who accompanied their children to the festival. Fall festivals such
as this one are a great way to provide a supportive and constructive
environment for local children as well as assist in getting parents
more involved in their children’s education.
-Lindsey Shehee
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| A student enjoying her new prize from one of the booths. |
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