Students aid local organizations during Serve Day 2016

Feet shuffled up the steps of three yellow buses as 250 students embarked upon a school wide day of service. They left behind books and classes for a few hours in order to engage in an effort to reach into and impact the lives of the people of the San Joaquin Valley. 

On March 3 student’s offered their aid to a number of local organizations across the Fresno area as part of FC’s annual Serve Day. These service sites included The Fresno Rescue Mission, FIRM (Fresno International Rescue Mission), Valley Prep Academy, Discovery Center, New Life for Girls’ Outreach Campus, Neighborhood Thrift and Kelpler Charter School.

In addition, some students stayed on campus to help with Kid’s Inc and other places of need within the FC facilities.

Founder of Valley Prep Academy, Janice Walstrom says the power of volunteer work rooted her school in the first place and continues to play a significant role. She expresses gratitude towards the students and faculty of FC for their service and willingness to set aside a day devoted to volunteer work.

“I appreciate the effort that Fresno Christian has spent at our school,” Wallstrom said. “It has been a good example to some of our students who asked us what you were doing here. I was able to tell them that you were here helping. They are going to see that their garden area is cleaned up, and I think it is going to inspire the little ones to want to plant some things in there now. This school was started with volunteers so volunteering is important to me.”

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Robert Solorio, overseer of yard cleanup at New Life for Girls also communicates deep gratitude for the work of FC students. He says the program aids troubled young women with a curriculum  based solely upon Biblical principles.

“It’s a huge blessing to have you guys here,” Solorio said. ” We have such a large property so for you to come alongside us is very helpful. Today we’re going to be beautifying the property and doing yard work. New Life for Girl’s is a discipleship program that mostly helps young women who are struggling with drugs and alcohol. We are not government funded so all of our curriculum is biblically based.”

Koreen foreign exchange student Dana Kwon, ‘17,  volunteered at the Poverello House for Serve Day 2015. She says the satisfaction of instilling joy in others brought her back to the charity this year.

“I went to Poverello house in the downtown Fresno Area,” Kwon said. “Before volunteering , I expected a lot because I went last year and it was a good experience for me. I even still remember what we did over there last time even though it has been a whole year. Today I packed cranberries in a bag for people who play sports and we served food to the homeless. I felt really good when they smile and have happiness on their faces.”

Sophomore Rory Coulton, ‘17,  went to New Life For Girls Outreach Campus for Serve Day 2016. She says she enjoyed  the opportunity to bless the greater Fresno community but hopes to explore a new venue of service next year.

“I think today went pretty great,” Coulton said. “ It was nice being able to serve, do some yardwork and clean up. I enjoyed meeting a few new people along the way and getting to know them. I liked it here but next year I might see what else is out there to do.”

Leadership student John Monke, ‘19,  traveled to the New Life for Girl’s House for his portion of Serve Day. He says the experience lightened his outlook. He expresses anticipation  for  Serve Day 2017.

“I went to the New Life for Girls house on serve day,” Monke said “ We did a lot of yard work and I am glad I went because I felt better after helping them. I’m looking forward to next year’s serve day because I get to miss school and can help other people.”

Freshmen foreign exchange student Joey Huang, ’19, experienced Serve Day for the first time this year. She says the gratitude of the  people she helped made the day a meaningful one.

“It’s really amazing to know about how Poverello House works and to serve others,” Huang said. “Other than happiness, I got more of the feeling of benefiting the society and helping those people who are going through a-not-so-good stage of their lives. All the ‘thank you’s’ I got, all of the smiles rewarded, make up the best moments of my day.”

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Justus Briggs, ’17, participated at the Fresno Community Food Bank sorting and packaging food for the city’s poor.

“I really enjoyed packing the food for Fresno’s poor,” Briggs said. “I thought the experience was a good teaching moment on how to serve those that are less fortunate then us. I hope the food we pack helps the people of Fresno, I am glad that I was able to have some small part in this endeavor.”

This video contains footage of the multiple sites where the students served in the community. It was filmed by Timothy Nyberg and Jarrod Markarian.

To learn about the previous Serve Day, please read Serve day unites student body, spreads joy (VIDEO).

For more features, please read FC Alumni traverses Pacific Crest Trail, seeks Christ.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee and via Email: [email protected].