Students disperse through community for the day

Bodies piled into the Student Ministries Center, splitting off into designated areas of the room. FC students and staff members prepared for the fourth annual FC Serve Day, March 2. In total, FC students served at 11 different locations throughout the city.

Before everyone filled up the yellow school buses to travel to their service destination, the student body was addressed by Superintendent Jeremy Brown. He commended the students for their willingness to sacrifice a day to help out the community.

Following Brown’s encouragement to the students, he introduced the Mayor of Fresno, Lee Brand. Brand came to FC to thank the students for serving the community. He also gave a brief history of his career in service to the city of Fresno. After he had finished speaking, Brown prayed over Brand.

The students were now ready for the day. Leadership teacher Robert Foshee began dismissing the different groups, assigning them to specific buses that would be taking them to their service locations. Within minutes, the FC campus was empty and students were out serving the city.

One location that students went to was The Discovery Center. Megan Raynes, ’19, appreciated the kind people that she met while serving there. She enjoys the idea of FC Serve Day because it gives her an opportunity to share the love of God.

“I loved serving at The Discovery Center,” Raynes said. “They were super nice and appreciative. We were allowed to stay inside and play Disney music while working. I really enjoy Serve Day because we get the opportunity to go out and show the love of God and help people.”

I led to a group Tree Fresno this was my first year leading a group as a teacher. I was very impressed with the hard work that some of the students were doing. I enjoyed the way many of my students took initiative and accomplished the tasks at hand even though it was tough at times. — Kimberly Bell

Slater Wade, ’17, volunteered at Kepler Elementary School for FC Serve Day. This was the third time he had been to Kepler. Wade enjoys working with the kids at the school.

“I really enjoy working at Kepler Elementary,” Wade said. “It’s super cool to meet new kids and help them with random things they are doing in class. I have been volunteering at Kepler for the past couple years because it’s a great, positive environment. The kids are always really excited when we come into the classrooms. It’s an awesome feeling.”

Students were also serving at the Community Food Bank. Devin Pitts, ’18, served with many of his friends. He spent his time organizing food for families in need to receive later.

“I went to the Community Food Bank,” Pitts said. “I loved serving there cause I got to hang out with my friends and help some people who needed it. We basically just organized a bunch of food and packed bags for families that will eventually use it.”

First-year teacher Kimberly Bell served at Tree Fresno. This was her third year helping at FC Serve Day but her first year serving as a teacher. Bell was surprised with how hard some of the students were working.

“I led to a group Tree Fresno,” Bell said. “This was my first year leading a group as a teacher. I was very impressed with the hard work that some of the students were doing. I enjoyed the way many of my students took initiative and accomplished the tasks at hand even though it was tough at times.”

After several hours of raking leaves, packing bags, organizing, and handing out flyers, school buses arrived and picked up students to head back to school. Students felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction once the work was completed, for their work was greatly appreciated not just by FC but the community.

For more features read, Column: International perspective on traveling abroad.