The students at Benjamin Logan High School devoted the majority of their day on Wednesday to a Community Care Day — supporting their communities and learning how they can help others with their time and talents.
Whether it was washing windows or restocking a food pantry or raking leaves and pulling weeds, no job was too big or too small for the students. Students gathered in Belle Center, West Mansfield, Rushsylvania, Zanesfield and around the school campus for a variety of projects.
Teaching students to exercise civic responsibility through volunteering to help others has been a pillar of importance at BLHS.
“Giving back helps set your place in the world and is a big part of building character. In the larger scheme of things, the Benjamin Logan teachers want students to realize that their actions impact more than just themselves,” said Sally Stolly, director of administrative services.
BLHS Principal Dr. Brian Powderly was able to stop at each of the community sites and was uplifted by the faculty and kids he feels blessed to serve.
In a message to the staff, Powderly said, “Well done! I know it took many pivots to get to today. I do remain convinced it was a great way to model service. Kudos to the staff and our students, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, and support staff. It took all of us.”
The Rushsylvania United Methodist Church and Zanesfield United Methodist Church, along with the high school kitchen staff, generously provided lunches for the volunteers.
Through this service to others, students realized that they are a vital part of something bigger, feeling ownership in their communities and taking action to make a difference, school officials said. Some pupils and teachers are already talking about doing a community service day again in the spring or next fall.